Exclusive Video Shows Suspect In Crime Spree; NYPD Says He Stole More Than $1,600 From Bronx Bodegas Since September
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NYPD is asking for your help in finding a man wanted in connection to a string of bodega robberies in the Bronx.
In each incident, the victim was held at gunpoint.
Exclusive video shows the moment a man pushes his way behind the counter of a bodega Tuesday. The suspect then ambushes 28-year-old store owner Mutia Saleh, all while pointing a gun.
"He point it at my chest... he says, 'I'm going to hurt you. Just don't look at me,' and 'Just turn around,'" Saleh said.
Saleh said he was alone in the store when it happened and dropped to the ground in fear.
"He says I'm going to hurt you... basically I'm so scared, I don't know," Saleh said.
"Shocked?" asked CBS2's Kiran Dhillon.
"Yeah," he said.
Police say the suspect ran off with about $600. The robbery was just one of five taking place over the course of about two weeks. Each robbery happened within a one mile radius of the others.
Police say they're looking for the same man in connection with each robbery. He's 20-30 years old, and follows the same pattern each time.
In another exclusive video, the suspect is seen again, this time at a Bodega at 1335 Prospect Avenue. He enters, pulls out a gun and demands money before running off.
Police say two of the five robberies happened at the same place on different days: A bodega at 948 Prospect Avenue.
People who live in the Bronx are disturbed by the incidents.
"I could walk in and they're robbing the place. Guy get nervous and shoot you," one person said. "Whoever did this, they're cowards."
The robbery pattern is also troublesome for Saleh, who's only owned his store for five months.
"The days are crazy, especially with this COVID-19 happening and people that have no job. They have to get a job, actually. I know, it's sad," Saleh said.
No one was injured during any of the incidents.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
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