Bronx bodega serial robbery suspect sought; owners group offers $3,000 reward

MORRISANIA, Bronx (WABC) -- A group of bodega owners has announced a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a thief police say has targeted the same deli at least three times since January.

Police say the suspect was armed each time he robbed the FM Deli Grocery on East 163rd Street in the Morrisania section of the Bronx.

He has allegedly stolen more than a thousand dollars total from the cash register.

"The first time this bodega owner tried to defend himself and the same guy stabbed him twice," said Fernando Mateo, spokesman for the United Bodegas of America.

Surveillance video from the latest robbery shows the man hop up on the counter and slide his body through the opening with what looks like a knife in his hand, before reaching to grab cash from the register.

To avoid getting hurt again, the owner has been letting the crook take off with the money.

"He's scared this guy could kill him, that's in in the mind of everyone who works in a bodega, every time you see someone who comes into the store, you don't know what could happen," said UBA President Radhames Rodriguez.

NYPD data shows robbery in the 40th Precinct is up 14.6% compared to this time last year and burglary is up 28%.

The United Bodegas of America says vigilance, security cameras and arrests can only do so much when violent criminals are being released without bail.

They say the laws need to change.

"Criminals like this that come in and stab their victims, or rob their victims of their belongings, don't deserve to be out in the streets threatening everyone," Mateo said.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect in surveillance images released by the NYPD is asked to contact police.

Source - https://abc7ny.com/bodega-robberies-serial-robbery-bronx-thefts-united-bodegas-of-america/14549128/