The New York City Police Department has requested the public’s help in the search for two individuals who allegedly robbed $10,000 from an elderly woman while impersonating police officers.

According to an NYPD Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information, media release obtained by CrimeOnline, the burglary occurred on August 17 inside an apartment building near West 189th Street and Wadsworth Avenue, in the city’s Washington Heights neighborhood, 34th precinct.

Two females reportedly knocked on the door of the 78-year-old victim’s residence at approximately 7:30 p.m., claiming to be police officers searching for someone who lived at the apartment. The victim told the individuals, who were wearing shields around their neck but were not dressed in police uniforms, that the person they were looking for was not at home. The resident allowed the two individuals to search the apartment.

After the two women left, the victim discovered that $10,000 in cash was missing from one of the bedrooms.

According to police, the two women then fled westbound on 189th Street and remain at large.

Police released a video and still photo of the alleged robbers, who were both described as approximately 18 to 25 years old with black hair, last seen wearing white shirts, blue jeans and black shoes. One of the women was carrying a black shoulder bag.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or tips can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES), enter TIP577, or through the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com. According to police, all calls are strictly confidential.

Feature photo: NYPD