NYPD: Suspects Used Stun Gun During Bronx Bodega Robbery
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NYPD has stepped up patrols in a section of the Bronx following a violent bodega robbery that was caught on surveillance video.
The incident occurred just before midnight Saturday at the Habibi 2 bodega located at 1866 Anthony Ave. in the Mount Hope section.
A suspect with a black rag over his face ran into the bodega, jumped over the counter and used a stun gun on the 36-year-old bodega owner, who was working the register, police said. A second suspect then walked in and jumped on the counter to grab cash from the register, police said.
"I was looking to my phone, I was playing with the phone and then he jumped in over there and I think he's got a gun. That's why I tried to hold it," bodega owner Tawfik Almutsar told CBS2's Meg Baker.
Almutsar said one man stood guard outside as a lookout while the other two rushed in to rob him. The suspects then ran off.
Bodega worker Mohamed Almontacr said Almutsar suffered a leg injury and went to the hospital. He was released Wednesday morning, Baker reported.
"He [is] OK now," Almontacr said.
Almutsar said he recognized one of the suspects.
"Yea this one, I know him. If I see him, I'll know him," he said. "I see him a lot of times in the street and he comes sometimes here."
"He knew one of them, he lives in the neighborhood," Almontacr said. "He see his face and everything, and police see his face on the camera."
Some neighbors said they can't believe the bodega was the target.
"I know the owner and they serve the community very well," Bronx resident Charles Barnett said.
While others said they aren't surprised because the neighborhood is prone to theft and violence.
"Especially Mount Hope, it seems like there's always something disturbing in this area," said resident Althea Stein.
"This is the Bronx, anything can happen in New York City," one man said.
Police were standing on the corner of Anthony Avenue and East Tremont avenues on Wednesday, but residents said even with an increased police presence these things happen.
Almutsar said he's now considering using a walk-up window during the store's overnight hours rather than keep the entire store open 24-7.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, log onto the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.