NEW YORK — The masked man in overalls who allegedly shot a beloved Manhattan bodega employee to the head during an attempted robbery Friday night also robbed another bodega in another borough in less than half an hour. later, and police said Monday they believe it may be connected to at least two other robberies in Brooklyn in the past two weeks.
New York City Police did not identify the 67-year-old victim of Friday’s “horrific murder” but described him as being part of the community. A witness who had been in the store around 11:30 p.m. that night and escaped the terrifying moment told police the gunman walked in dressed in a full ensemble, the kind of white attire you’d see a painter wear in work, and a dark mask to hide the face.
The witness said the gunman pointed the gun at the witness and then ordered the person to lie down and emptied the person’s pockets. The suspect then directed his attention to the employee and began hitting him with the butt of the gun. While that attack was taking place, police say the witness ran out of the deli.
Once outside, the witness reported hearing a gunshot, according to the NYPD. The clerk was found dead behind the counter with a single bullet to the head. The gunman was seen fleeing the scene on a dark scooter.
Senior NYPD officials say it’s the same outfit and vehicle the same man allegedly used in three other robberies, two before the deadly heist in Manhattan and then the one in The Bronx shortly after the Upper East murder. Side.
The two crimes that set the pattern occurred in Brooklyn. In the first case, on Saturday, February 25, cops say they believe the same gunman entered the Sunset Bagel store in Foster Avenue, took out an amount of money and cell phones and fled the store on a dark scooter. She again she was wearing the dark face mask and painter’s outfit.
Days later, on March 1, he allegedly entered the Super Deli in Manhattan Avenue, this time late in the morning, and pretended to make a purchase. He then flashed the gun, announced a robbery and stole cigarettes and cash before riding off on the scooter. The Bronx deli robbery on Friday night after the Manhattan shooting was similar to that.
None of the other robberies involved deadly violence, and the NYPD says they understand how much the shooting, and the serial thief on the loose, is shaking up the community.
“‘We stand in solidarity with thousands of hard-working New Yorkers who make a living in our neighborhood bodegas,'” NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Edward Caban said from the scene of what he called a “horrific murder.” .
“We are all outraged by this act of violence. Every one of us here grew up in this city. We know what the neighborhood bodega means. For some of us, it was like an extension of our living rooms. The clerk behind the counter was as family. I’m not surprised that people have left cards, candles and flowers here,” Caban said.
“At the height of COVID, these frontline workers delivered for all of us, both big and small. We have not forgotten, and we are disgusted that this innocent man has been kidnapped in such a cowardly act,” he added. “Our hearts go out to the family of the victim and all who are grieving this senseless loss.”
A reward of up to $10,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-57-PISTA.
