New York – A violent robbery at a Bronx deli earlier this week has local law enforcement on an urgent search for two suspects linked to a series of bodega heists across New York City. Officials confirmed that the suspects commandeered a total of $1,500 during their latest attack, which was captured on the deli’s surveillance system.
According to police reports, two masked individuals exited a silver sedan and entered the Gourmet Deli on Morris Park Avenue. Before the deli employee could react, one of the robbers struck him in the head with a firearm. The owner of the establishment, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the victim initially thought he had been shot. Fortunately, the employee sustained no gunshot wounds but was hospitalized due to injuries incurred from the assault.
While one assailant maintained control over the situation by brandishing the weapon at the deli staff, his accomplice seized the cash. They promptly escaped just as the police arrived to canvass the area. Despite an immediate search initiated by law enforcement, the culprits remain at large.
The authorities have observed a pattern with these offenders, noting similarities in the robberies of three other delis and bodegas in the Bronx and two in Queens since July 7. In each incident, the suspects displayed the same brand of aggression and fled with cash.
This particular robbery marked a brutal escalation as it was the first in the series where a store employee suffered a physical attack. The deli owner described the assault as unnecessary and potentially life-threatening, emphasizing that the worker would likely have cooperated if not attacked.
The local community, worried about a recurrence, expresses increasing concern for the safety and security of small business owners. The deli owner voiced his frustration, reflecting on the audacity of the criminals involved, “They think right now that they can do whatever they want. Nobody can control them,” he said.
The police urge anyone with information about these incidents or the suspects involved to come forward. They caution store owners and employees in the area to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately. Meanwhile, the community holds its breath, hoping for a quick resolution before any more harm can be inflicted.