MANHATTAN — Police have released an image of a gun-wielding thief caught on surveillance camera as he held up a small pharmacy and health food store on Second Avenue near East 68 Street last month.
The NYPD is asking for the public’s help in identifying a man suspected of robbing the HealthSource Pharmacy at 1302 Second Ave on Dec. 12. Police said Thursday that he stole an undetermined amount of cash and prescription medications from the shop before fleeing.
The man allegedly approached a pharmacist with a gun and demanded "narcotics" from the worker, who complied, the store’s owner Boris Niyazov told DNAinfo when the crime happened.
No shots were fired, police said, and the worker remained unharmed during the holdup, but staff at the store were "shaken up," Niyazov said.
Though shopkeepers in the area said crimes like this were unusual for the neighborhood, they worried that construction for the subway has made the east side corner of Second Avenue feel more isolated and dangerous.
Police described the suspect as 30 - 35 years old, 5-feet-11 inches and clean-shaven. He was wearing a dark blue jacket with a hood, dark pants and sunglasses.
Anyone with information in regards to this suspect is asked to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
All calls are strictly confidential.
