MANHATTAN — Two men threatened a 19-year-old shopgirl inside an East Seventh Street thrift shop and took off with $240 from the cash register, according to police and the shop's owner.
One of the suspects waited outside Goldwater Thriftique at 84 E. Seventh St., near First Avenue, while the other, armed with a knife, walked in about 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 21, according to the NYPD.
Kate Goldwater, the shop's owner, was not present but recounted her clerk's experience.
"They said 'Hello,' but then he immediately said, 'This is a robbery. Give me all the money in the register,'" said Goldwater, 30.
He also demanded the clerk, a 19-year-old college sophomore, hand over the register's drawer, but she struggled to do so because it can't be removed, Goldwater said.
The man was clutching his knife at his side and said, "Don’t mess with me or I’ll hurt you," Goldwater said.
The shopgirl gave him $240 from the register and he fled the scene, police said.
"The whole thing was probably a minute," Goldwater said.
Both of the suspects were described as being in their 20s and about 5-foot-8, police added. The suspect with the knife wore a gray hoodie while the other wore a black jacket, police said.
Goldwater, who opened her shop in 2006 and carefully curates its collection of used clothing, most of which sells for less than $25, said she is going to take extra security precaution after the theft.
She plans on installing cameras and locking the door at nightfall, she said.
"We’ve been open for eight years and this is really only the second time this has happened to us," Goldwater said.
"We just feel violated," Goldwater added.
Goldwater posted about the theft on social media and personally called neighboring businesses to alert them to the thieves, all of which has helped rally support for the store.
"Our customers have been in full force. They come in and say, 'I heard about the robbery and wanted to come support you guys,'" Goldwater said.
"It's really reassuring," she added.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).
