Video shows suspects disguised as NYPD officers robbing bodega in Brooklyn
Surveillance video shows a group of suspects disguised as New York City police officers violently robbing workers inside a bodega in Brooklyn.
The bodega's security video shows four armed men dressed as law enforcement, wearing dark hats with "NYPD" printed on them and jackets with "NYPD Police" in white lettering on the back.
Police confirmed the suspects were wearing the NYPD gear during the robbery at Tajuken Deli on Marcus Garvey Boulevard when it opened Sunday morning.
Suspects said "not to look at their faces"
The video continues to show one of the suspects tying up a man and dragging him across the bodega floor. The suspects are also seen running up and down an aisle.
"It's extremely concerning because police officers are supposed to wear that type of gear, not robbers," New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry said. "Our detectives are on this case as well as our NYPD Internal Affairs team because they had the NYPD apparel on."
NYPD officials said the suspects were not officers. It's unclear whether the hats and jackets were authentic or counterfeit.
One of the bodega workers said within seconds he knew the men were not police officers, despite the gear. They were also wearing masks and told people not to look at their faces, he said.
"They said 'NYPD!' I know they're not NYPD right away because ... the way they're talking, they drop on the floor," the worker said.
One suspect walked out of the store holding a trash bag, which he might've thought was full of cash. But it was actually filled with receipts for lottery tickets, the worker said.
No arrests have been made at this time.
$5,000 reward offered by bodegas association
The United Bodegas of America said the robbery is another example of why New York needs to fund panic buttons for bodega owners.
"We don't deserve these kinds of robberies," Fernando Mateo, a UBA spokesperson said.
"If we had panic buttons, these fake cops would be behind bars today. Our city's weak bail reforms have turned bodegas into hunting grounds for violent criminals. Enough is enough. We demand immediate action to protect the backbone of our neighborhood Bodegas. We need Governor Hochul to deliver her promised 5 million dollars, to install Panic Buttons in Bodegas that are in high crime areas," Mateo said in a statement issued earlier.
"Our city is under siege, and the first casualties are hardworking bodega owners and employees. These cowards dressed like our heroes — NYPD officers — to rob, terrorize, and traumatize innocent people. We need real action, not empty promises. The system must stop protecting criminals and start protecting us," UBA President Radhamés Rodríguez said.
UBA is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to any arrests.
"Don't feel like a rat. Feel like a hero, because they're the rats that we have to get off the streets," Mateo said.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
