BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — A pair of robbers forced the manager of a Bedford Avenue phone store into the restroom at gunpoint before taking off with $10,000 in stolen cash and goods, according to police.
Two men entered the Metro PCS at 989 Bedford Ave. just before 11 a.m. Sunday, officials said.
One suspect placed a weapon on the counter and forced Miguel Navedo into the store’s bathroom, pressing a gun to his back while demanding money and threatening him, the manager told DNAinfo New York.
“He told me to stay there, then came back, pointed the gun at me and told me, ‘Don’t move, I hurt people,” Navedo, 28, said.
The manager, who was working alone at the time, remained in the small space for about five minutes until he was sure the suspects had fled, he said.
“They came in with their faces covered and with gloves, and they looked like they did this before, the way the came in. They weren’t nervous,” Navedo said.
The pair got away with $8,843 in cash and more than $1,100 in cellphones and accessories, according to police.
Navedo estimated 20 phones were missing. The thieves may have tried to take his personal cellphone but decided against it, he said, adding that he found his Samsung Galaxy in the store’s garbage can shortly after.
“I can’t stop thinking about it, but what am I going to do, stop my life?” said Navedo, who continued working his shift after the robbery.
The store plans on making additional safety changes following the incident, including installing a panic button.
Police released surveillance footage of the suspects Sunday.
One is described as 230 pounds, 6-foot-1 and wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, black hat, red and blue sneakers and carrying a black firearm.
The second suspect is described as approximately 140 pounds, 5-foot-7 and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, beige cargo pants and pink and black sneakers.
Anyone with information can provide a tip confidentially by calling 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), submitting a tip via www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting CRIMES (274637) and then entering TIP577.
