Man Shot Shortly After Holding Up Bodega, Police Say

One of two men who robbed a grocery store at gunpoint around 3 pm Thursday afternoon was himself shot minutes later by an unknown assailant, police said.

Ricky Metcalf, 26, or Irvington, was shot in the leg near 134 3rd St. City resident Antonio Spears, 42 was detained by a retired corrections officer and two Newark special police who witnessed the robbery until officers arrived. Police also found a 40-caliber handgun in a backyard where Spears had fled before he was caught, police said.

Both men appear on surveillance video taken during the robbery of Martinez Deli & Grocery at 234 N. 5th St., police also said. They were arrested and charged with robbery, conspiracy and numerous weapons violations. Metcalf’s shooting remains under investigation.  
 
"Yesterday's arrest of two dangerous felons and the recovery of a firearm was the direct result of great response time and a coordinated effort between patrol units, detectives, and our community members. I commend the officers for a fine job and urge the community to continue to support our efforts to reduce crime and violence in our neighborhoods,” Police Director Samuel DeMaio said.