BROOKLYN – A violent robbery at a bodega in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, is prompting another push for panic buttons in the shops
Store surveillance video shows four masked men wearing NYPD jackets and hats storming a bodega near Marcus Garvey Blvd. and Willoughby Ave. early Sunday morning.
The video shows robbers throwing a bodega worker onto the floor before dragging him to another part of the store. Two other people also appeared surprised and were assaulted by the thieves, who took off with cash and a bag full of lottery tickets.
Spokesperson for the United Bodegas of America (UBA) Fernando Matteo held a press conference addressing the robbery.
“This week we’ve had numerous incidents… this was the frosting on the cake.”
The robbery has reinvigorated the UBA’s demands for improved security, specifically panic buttons. Matteo references the $5 million tax credit New York Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced to help small businesses invest in added security measures.
Retired NYPD detective Mike Alcazar also noted the easy accessibility of NYPD gear, which can be found and purchased online.
“Uniform equipment stores are not supposed to sell [NYPD gear] unless they’re NYPD or corrections… they’re supposed to abide by those rules.”
The NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau is investigating the robbery due to the robbers’ impersonation of NYPD officers.