String Of Lower Manhattan Robberies Leaves Business Owners On Edge
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Business owners are on edge after a string of Lower Manhattan robberies.
There have been five armed robberies and one attempted robbery in the East Village and SoHo since January, according to police.
The first one happened on Jan. 21 when police said two men robbed the Goldwater Boutique in the East Village. They say one man waited outside while another pulled out a knife and demanded cash from an employee.
The two then took off with $240, police said.
From there, investigators said one of those suspects continued on by himself over the last month, flashing a knife and demanding money at Bond Street Chocolate on East Bond Street, an art gallery and clothing store on Mott Street and another clothing store on Elizabeth Street.
The latest armed robbery happened Monday at Molton Brown on Spring Street around 7:15 p.m., police said. In that case, investigators said he made off with $400 in cash.
In total, police said more than $1,200 has been stolen, but no one has been hurt.
East Village business owner Liton Ahmed said he's been locking the front door to his copy center shop when it's slow ever since the robbery at Bond Street Chocolate right next door.
"I scared," he told CBS2's Andrea Grymes. "After 6, 7, I close -- lock the door."
Jamie Scott owns Abraco Espresso next door to the Goldwater Boutique. He said the area is usually very safe, but said he doesn't take that for granted.
"It's pretty surprising on the block specifically," he said. "I'm always on guard. It is New York City and you never let your guard down."
Police have released surveillance photos from the first incident and a sketch of a person of interest in connection with the other five.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS, visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
