Man Robs 2 Astoria Delis In A Week, Steals $6,500, Police Say

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Police are looking for a serial robber who has stolen more than $14,000 combined from four Queens delis in recent weeks, including two in Astoria, according to authorities.

The man's spree began on Oct. 27, when he robbed a College Point deli of $700 by walking behind the counter and telling an employee, "I'm going to kill you, don't move, I have a gun in my back pocket," police say.

Two days later, he tried unsuccessfully to rob the same deli, and was fought off about 30 minutes later by a worker wielding scissors at another shop a few blocks away, police say.

Then, on Nov. 15 around 8:30 p.m., the same man walked into N&N Grocery on Ditmars Boulevard near 33rd Street, went behind the counter and grabbed a 63-year-old male employee by the collar, police said. As the worker remained still, fearing for his safety, the man took $2,000 in cash and fled north toward 33rd Street, police said.

Days later on Nov. 19, the man walked into Smoke Shop & Grocery on 21st Avenue and 31st Street in Astoria after 5 p.m., walked behind the counter, and took $4,500 in cash from the register, police say.

When a 60-year-old man tried to intervene, the suspect pushed him to the ground and fled west along 21st Avenue toward 32nd Street, police said.

The most recent theft happened the next day, when the same man stole $7,000 in cash from a smoke shop in Jackson Heights after telling an employee, "Get out from behind the counter or I will shoot you," police said.

The suspect is described as a man with a medium build and medium complexion, with a mustache, brown eyes and black hair.

Police released photos and video showing the man near the scene of the most recent robbery. Authorities asked anyone with information to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). People can also submit tips online or on Twitter, @NYPDTips.