THROGGS NECK, The Bronx (WABC) -- A violent robbery could have ended worse for two bodega workers, before the tables certainly turned.

At around 3:30 a.m. on September 5th, police say five men entered Green Apple Deli on East Tremont Avenue.

The dramatic footage from that night, exclusively obtained by Eyewitness News, shows the moment when one of the suspects snuck behind the counter and put the worker in a sleeper chokehold. That clerk, fearing for his life, tries to fight back while another suspect empties the register.

"The only thing on his mind was to protect - like how to get released from his hand from his neck and defend himself," said the worker to through a translator.

And defend himself he did. Wiggling free, he fights off his assailant.

At that point, the suspect then tries to run away with his accomplices, but they leave one person behind.

That person is then seen being taken down by the clerks, who pin him down until police arrive.

Speaking exclusively to Eyewitness News, the owner of the deli championed the efforts of the employees.

"Of course, we're going to defend ourselves especially if you go behind there," he said.

Police say the suspect who applied the chokehold has been arrested. Another suspect has since turned himself in.

TOTTENVILLE, Staten Island (WABC) -- About 150 watches were taken during a brazen and well-planned burglary of a Staten Island watch business on Memorial Day.

Thieves moving with military precision hauled off a whole safe, with watches valued in the millions.

It happened around 10:30 p.m. at The Wrist Watcher on Arthur Kill Road in Tottenville.

The business is located on the third floor of a nondescript office building at the foot of the Outerbridge Crossing.

In other words, the five suspects knew where they were going and what they were taking.

They entered the office, removed the safe, ransacked the business, and destroyed part of the surveillance camera system. Other cameras in the building captured the images that police released.

They used common burglary tools, including a crowbar at one point, and a dolly.

The thieves got away with $160,000 in cash and watches valued at $2.5 million.

The owner of The Wrist Watcher said on social media: "We've had an unfortunate incident of a robbery at our office. While I can't discuss details due to an ongoing investigation, we're working with authorities to resolve this. In response, we're bolstering security and our commitment to you remains unwavering. Your support during this time has been humbling and has reinforced why I started this company. This isn't just about watches, it's about our shared passion and journey. As my team and I tackle this challenge, your support keeps us moving forward. We'll share updates soon. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued loyalty. Please stay safe and I hope you are just as excited for the comeback as we are!"

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Source - https://abc7ny.com/watches-stolen-the-wrist-watcher-tottenville-memorial-day/13328128/

ARCADIA, Calif. (KABC) -- New videos are showing brazen robberies at several retail establishments in Southern California.

In one video, multiple suspects are seen stealing pricey perfume from a store at a mall in Arcadia.

Video posted to the Citizen app shows five masked thieves at the Dior counter inside the Macy's at the Shops of Santa Anita Mall on Tuesday. They grab boxed sets of perfumes, throw them into trash bags and run away as onlookers gasp.

Police say they left in a black four-door sedan. Anyone with information is asked to call Arcadia police.

In a separate incident, video shows the aftermath of a flash-mob robbery at a store on Melrose Avenue.

The video posted to Citizen shows some of the workers from the Foot Locker try to confront the thieves and take the stolen merchandise back as they get into a car and drive away. The LAPD says an armed robbery report was made, but no suspects were caught.

Source - https://abc7.com/retail-theft-shoplifting-robbery-flash-mob/13687710/

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Surveillance video captured burglars breaking into a check cashing business in downtown L.A. around 3 a.m. Tuesday.

The group used sledgehammers and other tools to try to get into the secured backroom and ATM machine inside the lobby.

Video shows the burglars even try to cut through the ceiling before leaving with nothing.

The business sustained significant damage in the burglary attempt.

The owner says he's been at this location since 1984 and nothing like this has ever happened before.

Source - https://abc7.com/downtown-la-burglars-surveillance-video-check-cashing-business/12960389/