By Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo News Editor
LOWER EAST SIDE — Police and business owners met Tuesday to discuss store safety in the wake of a rash of boutique robberies on the Lower East Side over the past week.
The meeting was sparked by the attempted robbery last week of designer clothing store Pilgrim on Orchard Street that left the shop's co-owner badly injured after one of the would-be thieves slammed him through his store's front window.
Three of the alleged shoplifters were arrested and charged with robbery and possession of stolen property, police said. A fourth suspect has been identified but remains on the loose, police said.
The incident raised alarms among Lower East Side merchants, some of whom have experienced similar robberies at their stores since the June 14 attack.
Jack Guest, co-owner of the luxury handmade watch store Dedegumo on Orchard Street, said his shop has been struck twice in the past week, including the same day as the Pilgrim incident.
On both occasions, including the most recent robbery at his shop Monday, three individuals in their 20s or 30s entered the store together, he said. Two of the individuals then distracted the clerks while the third swiped watches valued at $500, he said.
Guest said police ruled out the possibility that the robbery at his store was related to the one at Pilgrim.
"We hadn't had any incidents that we were aware of before that," he said, noting his store between Houston and Stanton streets only opened last November.
Police at the meeting recommended that storeowners equip their establishments with surveillance cameras to catch thieves in the act, but warned against staff taking matters into their own hands.
"If there's somebody robbing you, let the property go," said Officer John Diorio of the 7th Precinct. "Don't be a hero."
The head of the precinct, Deputy Inspector Nancy Barry, added that she had increased patrols in the area using both uniformed and plainclothes officers.
Diorio said merchants can take steps to make it harder for thieves to succeed, including keeping minimal cash in the register, keeping front windows clear of merchandise or signs that obscure sightlines, and working in pairs rather than manning the store alone.
Diorio also recommended keeping the store well lit, and placing the most expensive items in the rear of the store.
The Lower East Side Business Improvement District, which hosted the meeting, also offered a grant program to BID members, in which owners can be reimbursed for up to $425 if they install security cameras.
