New York woman punched, robbed for wearing respirator mask at store, authorities say

Will Cleveland | Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Show Caption Hide Caption Thieves steal $2M in cryptocurrency with hand sanitizer, mask scam Thieves take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to steal $2 million of cryptocurrency for hand sanitizer and masks that never appeared.

HILTON, N.Y. – Four teens are accused of punching and robbing a woman at a Hilton, New York, business because she was wearing a respirator mask, authorities announced Tuesday.

Deputies responded to a Family Dollar on March 23 for the report of a robbery.

A woman said a group of people confronted her because she was "wearing a respirator mask" inside the store, officials with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office said. "The victim was being harassed by the group of people who were stating she was infected with the coronavirus."

As she exited the store, the woman was punched in the face by multiple people and her keys and wallet were stolen, deputies said. The victim sustained minor injuries.

The group then left the area and were found in nearby Ogden, where their vehicle was stopped and they were taken into custody.

Bottone said this incident was not racially motivated and no more charges are expected to be filed.

Rocco Gingello, 18, Alexis Gingello, 19, Taya O'Connor, 19, are charged with second-degree robbery, a felony, while Nicholas Henderson, 19, is charged with second-degree robbery, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and various driving-related charges.

The teens were arraigned in Parma Town Court and released. They're set to appear in court at a later date.

Follow reporter Will Cleveland on Twitter @willcleveland13

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