Deli owner speaks out following armed robbery in Throggs Neck

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Police are searching for a suspect who stole $1,300 during the course of an armed robbery of a convenience store on 3432 E. Tremont Ave. in Throggs Neck Monday. The male suspect can be seen in security footage flashing a gun in his right arm to the store worker, before reaching across the counter and making his escape. "He told him as he was running out, stay on the ground or I'm going to come back and shoot you," said owner of the store Kirtikumar Patel adding," thank God nothing happened, it's just money a life is more important." Residents in the area say they were shocked to hear of the robbery and say the neighborhood does not typically see these incidents. "It's frightening and unsettling especially that this could happen so close to home," said Gabrielle Marerro who tells News12 he lives just up the road from the store. No suspects or persons of interested have been identified at this time. "