HARLEM — Three thieves who ransacked an East Harlem bodega and assaulted its owner were arrested, police said.
Ivan Rojas, 20, Cenen Bravo, 20, and Edgar Tapia Hernandez, 21, walked into the store at 2285 First Ave. around 4:20 a.m. on Oct. 17 and started shoplifting, police said.
The owner of the bodega, a 60-year-old man, noticed the three men taking items from the shelves and confronted them, police said.
The three became irate and began punching and kicking the owner, police said.
They then broke the store’s flat-screen TV monitor and the front glass door, causing more than $250 in damage, police said.
The owner had visible swelling on the right side of his face, but refused medical attention, police said.
Officers found and arrested the suspects the same day.
Bravo was charged with attempted criminal mischief, according to court records.
Tapia Hernandez and Rojas were charged with two counts of robbery, criminal mischief and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Lawyers for the men could not be reached for comment.
