NYPD: 2 Wanted In Violent Robbery Caught On Camera In The Bronx
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are looking for two suspects who they say knocked a man unconscious and robbed him in the Bronx.
Residents tell CBS2's Ali Bauman that incidents like this one are making them fearful of their own block. They say violent crime has become just too common in a neighborhood that is busy with children from a nearby middle school.
It happened back on Feb. 23 outside a deli on Andrews Avenue in Morris Park. The 57-year-old victim had just walked out of the deli when another man came up from behind and punched him in the face, knocking him to ground.
Police say the attacker walked away but returned with an accomplice.
That's when the second man is seen flipping the victim over before taking the his identification, a debit card and $80 in cash, according to police. The two men then fled.
"There's always something going on this block," resident Desire Padilla said. "I can't wait to get out of here."
"Of course it's scary," security guard Yosel Fernandez told CBS2's Ali Bauman. "You worry about this."
Fernandez started working for the public middle school across the street just two weeks ago, and says she's already told her boss she wants to transfer.
"I told my P.O. this one, I don't like here because it's crazy," Fernandez said.
The victim was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released. Deli workers say he's a regular customer, but the suspects are strangers.
Robberies in the precinct are down this year over last, but CBS2 reports there have been 17 more felony assaults. City Councilman Fernando Cabrera believes security cameras are the best defense against crime.
"Most of the blocks around here have a police security camera," Cabrera said. "You're going to get away with it once, not even the first time, you're gonna get caught in our neighborhood."
In addition to the surveillance video, police have also released surveillance photos of the suspects.
Councilman Cabrera also said in order to lower crime in the neighborhood, it is vital to provide more job options for young adults to keep them away from gangs.
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), visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.