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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Upscale SoHo Boutique Worker Punched in Face During Scuffle with Shoplifter

 An employee of Broome Street boutique Lazaro Soho was punched in the face while fending off a shoplifter on Sept. 25.
Lazaro SoHo Shoplifter Fight
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SOHO — He was socked over a jacket.

An employee of upscale boutique Lazaro SoHo was punched in the face by a shoplifter last week, police said.

The worker at the 457 Broome St. shop told officers that when he spotted a young man attempting to steal a $433 Demobaza jacket at about 11:40 a.m. on Sept. 25, he quickly approached the robber, and tried to grab the coat back.

The two began to struggle over the pricey jacket, and moments later, the shoplifter walloped him in the face — before running off with the item, police said.

Police were able to quickly catch 18-year-old Matthew Cherry a block away on Kenmare Street and recovered the stolen goods, the NYPD said.

The 44-year-old employee was left with a minor cut and bruising, police said.

"He [the employee] was shaken up — he took a few days off," said a Lazaro manager who asked that his name be withheld. "But he's OK and the police worked very quickly."

Information about Cherry's charges and lawyer were not immediately available.

Other notable crimes in this week's NYPD blotter in the 1st Precinct include:

► A man had his Citi Bike stolen on Sept. 27 at about 2 p.m. on the corner of West and Chambers streets as he stood at a docking station about to get a new bike, police said. The victim told cops that when he turned his back, a man jumped on the bike and rode off.

► A woman’s iPhone and credit card were snatched while she dined at an outdoor table of SoHo restaurant MeKong on Sept. 24 at about 10:30 p.m., police said. The 34-year-old told police that as she ate at the 18 King St. restaurant, a man ran by and swiped her phone and credit card from the table.

► An idling 2005 Ford Expedition parked on Broome Street near Varick Street was stolen at 5 a.m. on Sept. 25, police said. The car’s owner had left his keys in the running car while he stepped out, and the thief hopped in the vehicle and drove away.

► A woman’s $3,500 black Chanel bag was grabbed off her shoulder as she walked along Vandam Street at 2 a.m. on Sept. 30, police said. The 31-year-old told police a man snatched the pricey bag while she walked toward Sixth Avenue. Her bag contained two iPhones and a $275 Tory Burch wallet, police said.