As NYC bodega owners grapple with a series of bold ATM heists by the so-called "Midnight Smashers," the United Bodegas of America (UBA) has put forward a $5,000 reward for information that could lead to their capture. Spanning from Sept. 19 to Dec. 26, there have been 49 reported instances where thieves, using stolen vehicles, targeted and forcibly removed ATMs from bodegas in Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Queens.
The UBA has urged the city officials to take definitive action to bolster the security in and around these neighborhood cornerstones. "These attacks are unlike anything we’ve seen before. It’s unacceptable that small business owners, the backbone of our city, are being targeted like this," UBA spokesman Fernando Mateo told Gothamist. Their demands include increased police patrols, enhanced security measures, and access to self-defense resources for store proprietors.
In a dramatic turn of events, police have made progress in the apprehension of the culprits involved in the Tasty Bite Deli and Grill break-in, as reported by New York Daily News. Police interrupted a burglary on Dec. 23 leading to a high-speed pursuit, ending with the suspect crashing into a divider. The man arrested, identified as Celestino Colon, was later released, as the charges—burglary, grand larceny, reckless endangerment, and fleeing from an officer—were not eligible for bail according to court documents.
The NYPD has increased efforts to apprehend the remaining individuals, with video footage of thefts and the first arrest offering some leads. “Why haven’t these men been caught? This is unheard of,” UBA President Radhamés Rodríguez told New York Daily News, lamenting the audacity of the crime spree. "We must put NYPD resources to solve this crisis," he added.
Authorities are seeking the public's assistance in identifying the remaining suspects. Police encourage anyone with relevant information to contact the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or to submit tips online. Protecting the confidentiality of informants, all calls will be kept confidential.
