Man wanted for robbing same deli 3 times in Morrisania

The worker who was there during all three robberies says that in one of the incidents, the suspect sliced the worker’s hand, and that in all three he was armed.

Shakti Denis and Adolfo Carrion

Mar 19, 2024, 12:39 AM

Updated 266 days ago

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Police are searching for a man who robbed the same Morrisania deli three separate times.
The same 41-year-old bodega employee was working during all three of these robberies - which took place on Jan. 13, Feb. 21, and again on March 1.
Surveillance video shows the man hop through a window at the counter of the store, reach over with one hand and begin rummaging through the cash register, pulling out bills before sprinting out of the store.
The worker says that in one of the incidents, the suspect sliced the worker’s hand, and that in all three robberies he was armed.
“It’s a sad situation because it’s not something that we want to get used to… and it happens every day,” said Fernando Matea, of the United Bodegas of America. “If you know that you can break into my bodega, rob me today, and get a desk appearance ticket, and you get away with $5 or $10,000, you’re going to do it again, and again and again.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2025 state budget proposal includes a $45 million plan to combat retail theft, including a specialized state police unit and more funding for district attorneys and local police, among other safety improvements.
Mateo and the United Bodegas of America have come out to say that while this proposal is a step in the right direction, changing bail reform laws would help out these small businesses that are being targeted.
“The judges, the district attorneys, need to have the power to do whatever they need to do to keep these people behind bars,” said Mateo. “The hard-working, risk-taking entrepreneur is not protected in the state and city of New York.”
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts or identity of the suspect shown, please contact police.