Shoplifter Slashes Midtown Store Worker, Police Say

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — The NYPD is trying to identify a man wanted for slashing a Midtown Manhattan store worker after being confronted about shoplifting, police said.

The unknown man entered a store on Broadway near West 37th Street on Wednesday, grabbed an item and left the store without paying for it, police said. A 53-year-old employee chased after the man and stopped him on the street, prompting the shoplifter to slash the worker with an unknown sharp object, police said.

The store worker suffered a laceration to his cheek, but refused medical attention at the scene of the crime.

Police described the suspect as a man who was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket and carrying a bag. The NYPD released a photo of the suspect taken on a store security camera.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).