Updated 03/02/2011 06:18 PM
Bronx Bodega Owners Terrorized By Armed Robbers
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The New York City Police Department is searching for the suspects involved in a string of armed robberies in the University Heights section of the Bronx.
As first reported by NY1, all seven of the robberies occurred at bodegas between early January and February 28.
The locations are all located within the 42nd, 44th and 46th precincts.
Police say in each case, the two robbers wear ski masks, wave guns at their victims and then demand cash.
Store owners say the thieves have taken anywhere from hundreds of dollars to thousands, even snatching cartons of cigarettes and dutch master cigars.
Workers say the sight of a shotgun is terrifying.
“They put everybody on the ground,” said bodega owner Anthony Espinal. “They put a pistol up to my father and they yelled, ‘Where the money at? Where the money at?’ My father said, ‘Take it. Take all the money.’”
“The guy said, ‘I need all the money from the store,’” recalled Manuel Diaz, another store owner. “They took the money. They used plastic bags. They put the money in the bags.”
No serious injuries have been reported, but one store worker was hit in the head by the robber's shotgun.
Many of the bodegas have sophisticated surveillance systems, so police are pouring over video tapes to identify those responsible.
Anyone with information should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.