Pepper-Spraying Robbers Hit Greenwich Village Store: NYPD

GREENWICH VILLAGE, NY — Masked robbers pepper-sprayed a person in a Greenwich Village store as part of a citywide crime spree caught on disturbing surveillance video, according to police.

The pair burst into NYC Finest Deli on LaGuardia Place near West Houston Street about 12:15 a.m. Saturday, sprayed a 29-year-old and stole $400 from the register, police said.

The robbers were also caught on surveillance footage chasing a terrified worker in a Sheepshead Bay store on May 16, police said.

The woman can be seen leaping over the counter trying to flee before she is tackled and thrown to the ground inside the shop at 2776 Coney Island Ave., police said.

The robbers also pepper sprayed the worker and snatched $500 in merchandise, police said.

A third person was pepper-sprayed inside a Bay Ridge deli on Third Avenue and 79th Street on May 19, police said.

Once again, the thieves stole merchandise and $700 from the register, said police.

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