Police Search For 2 Suspects In Violent Business Robbery In Brooklyn
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There was disbelief Friday in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where a man was viciously beaten and a woman was tied up during a robbery at an accounting office.
As CBS2's Steve Langford reported, one of two suspects was caught on video fleeing Roebling Street around 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Y&I Accounting Inc. was invaded by two men who allegedly forced their way in and showed a gun.
Police said they then used a Taser on, and pistol-whipped, a 60-year-old man working inside. They also allegedly tied up a 19-year-old female employee before stealing money, CBS2's Andrea Grymes reported.
"Looks like they were hitting him in the head," one man told CBS2's Steve Langford. "She was tied up. They put her to the ground and they tied her up."
Surveillance video showed one of the suspects wearing what appeared to be a FedEx uniform and ditching his hat as he ran from the scene.
"Looks like they were hitting him in the head," one man named Manny told CBS2's Langford. "She was tied up. They put her to the ground and they tied her up."
Manny, who works next door, said he saw the suspects take off.
"I saw the guys running out. They ran through the door. We heard some screams. We went to the door, we tried to open the door. The door was locked, we broke open the door," he said.
A suspect was seen running away, dressed in what appeared to be a FedEx uniform, ditching a hat on the way. Police said the suspects got away with cash.
Matilda Munez also works a few store fronts down from the accounting firm. She told WCBS 880's Mike Smeltz the robbery is surprising in this area, where all the small businesses look out for each other.
"We're going to have to start putting bolts on our doors and it's sad," she said.
The 60-year-old employee who was attacked was taken to a hospital to be treated while the younger employee was treated at the scene.
The older employee was not available on Friday, but someone told CBS2's Langford on a building intercom that the man was "fine."
But neighborhood friends were openly upset.
"He's a wonderful person to everybody," a woman said.
"I feel sorry for the whole thing. I feel bad," said neighbor Moses Bineth. "I hope they get the guy these two people."
The accounting firm has been locked up. There is an abundance of surveillance video to be reviewed, focusing in on a suspect whose outfit may have proved dangerously deceptive.