WATCH: $21,500 Stolen From ATM Maintenance Worker In Bronx Attack, Cops Say
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Two thieves made off with $21,500 after a violent attack on the owner of an ATM maintenance company in the Bronx last month, authorities say.
A trip to the bank for Rashad Almuntaser turned into a daring one.
Police say he withdrew $48,000 from a Capitol One bank on Buhre Street, got the cash, put it in a bag and then crossed the street to his car.
As CBS2's Raegan Medgie reports, waiting on the other side of the street was a man in a white hood. He darts behind Almuntaser, snatches the bag and trips.
Almuntaser pounces on the man, tackling him as the cash flies into the air and all over the sidewalk. A struggle begins and punches are thrown.
That's when a second suspect sprints in, attacking the ATM owner. The first man gets up, grabs another bundle of cash, worth $21,500, and they both take off.
"I think they were waiting for him. They knew he was carrying the money," Bronx resident Jim Murphy said. "How else would they know to hit that one guy carrying money?"
A worked nearby says she witnessed part of the ordeal.
"I just see two guys run and punching the guy, and one on the floor, and they run away," she said. "I just got scared. I open the door, I see them. I didn't know what happened. I see them on the floor and I run in, because I thought who knows, maybe they're going to come in or something."
"I missed it by 20 minutes," Murphy said. "If I had been there, I would have helped the guy. It would be the right thing to do."
Police say Almuntaser was carrying that cash to replenish the ATMs he owns. They also say he was the victim of a similar robbery last summer when a man stole $40,000 in cash as he was filling up one of his ATMs.
So far, police haven't been able to catch the pair of thieves.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 577-TIPS, logging on to their website at www.NYPDCrimeStoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and entering TIP577. Tips can remain anonymous.
