NYPD: Off-duty officer beaten and robbed of gun at Manhattan restaurant
NEW YORK -- The NYPD says an off-duty officer was beaten and robbed of his gun early Friday morning in Manhattan.
It happened around 4:30 a.m. inside Empanada Mama on Ninth Avenue near 51st Street in Hell's Kitchen.
Police said a fight broke out between the officer and a group of men. He was punched several times in the head, before one of the suspects allegedly grabbed his gun and took off.
BREAKING: A group of men beat up & robbed an off-duty police officer’s gun.
— John Dias (@JohnBDias) March 11, 2022
Cops say he was eating at Empanada Mama in Hells Kitchen w/ a friend, when an argument started between them and at least 3 other men. Ended with fists being thrown and gun stolen. @CBSNewYork pic.twitter.com/IzzT8cC6ai
"They were still kicking and punching when the guy was on the floor. Then, the other guy ran on that side, and then they followed him and the fight went longer," one witness told CBS2. "And then when the police were here, all three guys ran away."
The officer and a friend were treated at St. Luke's Hospital for their injuries.
Investigators say the suspects stole the officer's personal weapon, not his service gun.
Anyone with information about their whereabouts 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 via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.