FLATIRON — A man tried to walk out of Burlington Coat Factory with two watches he didn’t pay for and then threatened employees with a knife when they tried to stop him, NYPD said.
Victor Badillo, 59, threatened a security guard with a knife, when he tried to stop Badillo from leaving the Burlington Coat Factory at 703 Sixth Ave., police said.
Store employees spotted Badillo on a surveillance camera taking the watches off of the shelves and hiding them in his sleeve at about 2:43 p.m. on March 23, police said.
When one worker approached him about the watches, Badillo gave one of the two back, but when workers continued to get in his way, he brandished a knife from his pocket and told them, “Don’t try to stop me,” police said.
When they told Badillo to drop the knife, he said “I’ll cut everybody. Get away from me,” according to a criminal complaint from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
As Badillo was walking out of the store, an employee flagged down a police officer, who instructed Badillo to stop. When Badillo continued to walk, the officer drew his gun and told him to put his hands up, police said.
Badillo finally dropped the knife, but continued walking, until the arresting officer brought him down to the ground. The second watch was recovered from Badillo’s jacket.
Badillo was charged with robbery, a felony. He was still being held at Rikers Island as of Wednesday afternoon. Bail was set at $5,000 cash and $10,000 bond. He’s due back in court on April 30.
His attorney did not immediately respond to request for comment.
Other notable crimes that occured in the 13th Precinct include:
► A man had his bag stolen when he left it unattended while playing soccer, and then used an app to track down his iPhone 6 to a men's shelter resident at 400 E. 30th St., police said.
When the victim looked back at his bag at about 9:15 p.m. on March 28, he noticed it had vanished, police said.
He used the Find My iPhone app and police were able to track down the phone, which was in Preston Solomon's pocket inside the Bellevue Men's Shelter on the third floor, police said.
Solomon was charged with possession of stolen property. He was still being held at Rikers Island as of Wednesday. Bail was set at $1,500 cash and bond. He is due back in court on April 3.
His attorney was not immediately available for comment.
Check out DNAinfo New York's 13th Precinct blotter map below to see where other crimes have been reported around the neighborhood. Click on the week period that you want the map to show, and then click on the markers to learn what crime was reported there.
