Detectives need the public’s help in finding the man responsible for busting into two bodegas and a restaurant in Jackson Heights last month and stealing thousands of dollars in cash and property.
The first burglary occurred at 2:30 a.m. on July 12 at the Super Bazaar grocery store located at 75-10 31st Ave. According to police, an unidentified male suspect got into a common area of the building through a rear door, then got inside the store by pushing in an air conditioning unit.
Once inside the bodega, authorities said, he removed $2,400 in cash along with another $1,000 in rolled coins and untold quantities of cigarettes, prepaid calling cards and lottery tickets.
Nearly two weeks later, at 3:50 a.m. on July 25, the bandit broken into the Growing Farm grocery store located at 76-21 37th Ave. Police said he entered the premises through a common rear alleyway.
After getting into the store, law enforcement sources noted, he removed $550 in cash, but that apparently wasn’t enough for him.
Moments later, police said, he smashed through a plasterboard wall inside the store and climbed through the hole to enter the adjacent Due Fratelli restaurant. Once inside that location, he removed another $8,000 in cash and a Samsung laptop computer valued at $2,600.
Both burglaries were reported to the 115th Precinct.
On Aug. 2, police released security video footage from the incidents. A specific description of the male suspect was not available.
Anyone with information regarding the burglaries or the suspect’s whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA), visit the Crime Stoppers website or send a text message to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
