BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — A pair of thieves robbed a Nostrand Avenue deli and its customers of an estimated $1,000, according to police.
One suspect entered Jerannie Deli at 310 Nostrand Ave., near Clifton Place, on Dec. 5 roughly 8:20 p.m., asking to play the lottery, according to store owner Anis Capellan.
“It was suspicious to me because I never saw the guy,” Capellan said. “I asked him if he needed some help, he said he wanted to play numbers.”
After waiting in line by the lotto register, the man left and came back with a gun and a masked accomplice, the owner added.
The masked suspect pushed employees and customers to the back, while the first suspect put a gun to Capellan’s back and ordered her to open the store’s registers, she said.
“It was scary, you never know what can happen in that moment."
The pair robbed two customers and took cash from the register before fleeing on foot, according to police.
No injuries were reported.
Officials released surveillance video of the men on Tuesday.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (8477).
