QUEENS — A crew of thieves beat up a teenage clerk and took about $30,000 from an Astoria bodega early Saturday, police said.
Two suspects walked into Main Avenue's En-Express Deli, near 8th Street, about 3 a.m. and told the 17-year-old clerk they needed help in the back of the shop, the NYPD said.
Instead, they assaulted him and forced him into another room in the back before letting in two more thieves who broke into a lockbox in the shop and stole about $30,000, police said.
The clerk, whose name was not released, was not seriously hurt in the attack, an NYPD spokesman said.
The first suspect, who was wearing a black hoodie at the time, acted as a lookout during the heist, the NYPD said.
Police distributed a clear photo of the second suspect.
All of the suspects are in their early 20s, the NYPD said.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).
