NYPD seek suspects in Brooklyn and Manhattan robbery spree: ‘they target businesses’

NEW YORK (PIX 11) — Police are asking for the public’s help to find two men believed to be involved in more than a dozen robberies targeting businesses across Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Hatem Addailam recalled the night back in August when he was working the front register at Sam’s Natural Plus in Clinton Hill when two men entered the store and attempted to yank an ATM from its place near the entrance.

This all happened as he said several customers were inside the deli. The brazen robbery attempt unfolded right in front of him, leaving both employees and customers in shock.

“It makes me feel like there’s no security. If somebody could walk to many stores and do that without care, this is a big problem. This is ATM,” Addailam said.

Police said the men hit 20 businesses from June to September, in which a white van was used in at least one incident.

Of those targeted, 16 were successful, leaving a trail of stolen ATMs and shaken business owners. Addailam said he fended off the perps with a stick, leading to an argument before the perps fled.

“He threatened me to like to walk away,” Addailam said. “Like stay away. I was threatening him like I’m going to hit him. He threatened me to walk away.”

Addailam said this wasn’t the first time thieves had targeted the store.

In fact, it’s happened twice before, with crooks successfully making off with an ATM. After those incidents, the store took extra precautions, bolting the machine to the floor—a move that paid off when the latest robbery attempt failed. He’s hoping the police catch the men before they strike again.

“If they target the businesses, it’s not good. It’s going to be no security and safety,” Addailam said.

The investigation into this robbery pattern remains ongoing.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org , downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

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