Cops: 4 Tried to Use Phony Gift Cards

Police officers had their guns drawn when they confronted four New York City residents who were later arrested on attempted larceny charges.

Guns were used in the arrest Friday because a gas station clerk told police that one of the suspects had a gun. Police said the group was trying to pass off phony gift cards to buy liquor or cigarettes in town. Police later searched the gray Nissan Altima where they found the suspects, but found no gun.

gave this account of the incident:

At about 4:54 p.m. Friday, the group tried to buy $439.10 worth of alcoholic beverages from Frate's Liquors at 1937 Post Rd. The employee refused to honor the fake gift card, so the group left. But the employee called police.

Later, the same group tried to buy two cartons of cigarettes at the Exxon service station at 1358 Post Rd. Again, the gift cards were found to be bogus, and the clerk refused to sell the items.

The group's next stop was the Gulf service station at 1044 Post Rd., where they again tried to buy two cartons of cigarettes. Again, the transaction was denied.

At one point, a service station employee saw one of the passengers in the rear seat of the car with a black handgun, police were told.

Police arrested Shannia Devon, 20, of 841A Green Avenue Brooklyn; Nathaniel Hall, 20, of 2932 Beach Channel Dr. New York; Gerald Jones, 21, of 1337 McBride St. Far Rockaway, NY; and Kidane Joseph, 31, of 1469 Edmont St., New York. each was charged with three counts of criminal attempt to commit sixth degree larceny.

Devon was also charged with interfering with an officer becuse she initially refused to produce identification or identify herself to police. Devon and Joseph were released on a written promise to appear in court, while Hall and Jones each posted a $150 bond. All are to appear July 16 in state Superior Court in Stamford