Police: Man With Machete, 2 Others Rob Restaurant In Chelsea
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man armed with a machete and two others are accused of stealing a cash register from a restaurant in Chelsea.
As WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported, the owners of the Mexican restaurant Crema on West 17th Street near Sixth Avenue were busy Saturday searching through security video for any clues as to who the suspects are.
Police: Man With Machete, 2 Others Rob Restaurant In Chelsea
Police said at about 10:30 p.m. Friday three men walked into the restaurant and demanded money.
One man pulled out a machete and the trio made off with a cash register from behind the bar.
General Manager Piero Rodriguez told 1010 WINS' Gary Baumgarten the whole thing took about 50 seconds.
He also added he has an idea why they targeted his restaurant.
"It's because we were already quieted down so it's easier. The restaurant next door had more tables than we did and they have huge windows," Rodriguez said.
Police: Man With Machete, 2 Others Rob Restaurant In Chelsea
Rodriguez said they are now looking to take extra security measures.
"We're looking into adding more cameras outside as well," he said, "...so we can have every angle, even downstairs."
He also added they will be bolting down the cash register.
Neighbors told WCBS 880 they couldn't believe the news about the brazen robbery.
"Are you serious? In this neighborhood?" said Sam Bacharach.
Bacharach lives right next door and said he didn't see or hear anything. He also said the robbery doesn't change his opinion that it's a safe area to be in.
"There is absolutely nothing in the world that can make me feel even slightly negative about 17th Street," he said.
Police said the thieves got away with an unknown amount of cash.
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