Police: Armed Robbery Suspect Killed By Officer In The Bronx
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A robbery suspect is dead after a police-involved shooting in the Bronx.
It happened just after 4 a.m. on West Burnside Avenue in Tremont.
Police said a 24-year-old man flagged down officers who were on patrol in the area and reported he had just been robbed while waiting for a bus inside a Chase bank ATM vestibule.
The victim told the officers a Hispanic man in his 40s walked into the vestibule, pulled out a gun and then took off with the victim's iPhone and cash, police said.
Police said officers canvassed the area and spotted the suspect, which sources identified to CBS 2 as James Torres, near Jerome Avenue and West 179th Street.
Torres then fled and cops chased him into a nearby apartment building on Davidson Avenue, police said. During the pursuit, police said a gun could be seen in the suspect's hand.
Once inside the building, police said there was a struggle and one of the officers fired his gun, hitting Torres twice in the chest. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police said a loaded .380-caliber handgun and the stolen iPhone were found at the scene.
Torres, 44, had previously served time in prison for assault and attempted robbery.
Many who live and work in the area said they feel safe in the neighborhood.
"It's always quiet, no problems," said resident Bernard Perez. "I walk this neighborhood every night."
Four officers were taken to the hospital for trauma. One also suffered a minor hand injury.
The investigation is ongoing.
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