Saturday 4 June 2022 06:52 PM Thug steals $1,700 in stock from Duane Reade and later returns to attack staff ... trends now
A thief violently attacked two New York City drug store workers with a bicycle chain.
The man had stolen more than $1,700 worth of merchandise from a Duane Reade in Manhattan 10 minutes before the brazen attack.
As he was leaving with his stolen loot, the thief promised to attack the workers.
Minutes later her returned to make good on his threat. The suspect, waving the bicycle chain in his hand, went behind the counter and started hitting the employees, before running off.
The attack is just the latest in a slew of violent crimes plaguing the Big Apple, despite Mayor Eric Adam's vow to crackdown illegal activity.
New Yorkers remain frazzled by the skyrocketing surge in crime, which is up nearly 40 percent from last year, and have expressed fears for their safety while on city streets and subways.
A thief violently attacked two New York City drug store workers with a bicycle chain
The unidentified suspect targeted the Duane Reade on 6th Avenue near West 27th Street Tuesday afternoon, removing $1,745 worth of stock from the shelves.
As he was exiting the store, the suspect made a verbal threat to harm the cashiers stationed behind the counter.
About 10 minutes later, he rushed into the shop carrying a silver bicycle chain.
Video shows the suspect storm beyond the counter and swing the link at the employees, striking the 42-year-old and 60-year-old woman.
He then fled the scene, leaving the workers with deep cuts and swelling on their bodies.
The victims were taken to nearby Bellevue Hospital for treatment. Their conditions remain unknown at this time.
The suspect (pictured above) had stolen more than $1,700 worth of merchandise from a Duane Reade in Manhattan 10 minutes before the brazen attack
Minutes later he returned, waving the bicycle chain in his hand, went behind the counter and started hitting the employees, before running off
NYPD has asked citizens to help locate and identify the suspect
Meanwhile, NYPD and Crime Stoppers have issued an alert, asking citizens to help locate and identify the suspect.
He is believed to be 42 to 47 years old, standing 5'11" tall and weighing 185 pounds.
He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, dark blue jeans, white sneakers and a baseball cap.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Tips can also be submitted anonymously online, via the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app or by texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577.
The unidentified suspect targeted the Duane Reade on 6th Avenue near West 27th Street (pictured) Tuesday afternoon
The attack left the employees, ages 42 and 60, with deep cuts and swelling on their bodies
New Yorkers have been growing weary over the latest spike in violence and crimes across the Big Apple, with an rising number occurring on the streets and subways.
While murders and shootings are down 10 and roughly five percent respectively from 2021, overall crime in NYC is up 38.42 percent from last year.
Robberies are up 39.3 percent from last year, while felony assaults are up 18.4 percent and rapes are up 16.1 percent.
Murders and shooting are down 9 and 6.5 percent respectively from 2021, but violence continues to
