A late-night deli stop in East Flatbush turned violent when three men attacked a 44-year-old man and stole his car, police say.
The assault happened in front of a deli at 787 Albany Ave. just before 1:30 a.m. on April 18. The group took off with the victim’s 2004 BMW 530i after one of the suspects pulled out a hatchet and the trio struck the man in the face. He suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment. Detectives say the suspects remain at large as the investigation continues.
The attack and getaway
According to News 12 Brooklyn, the assailants approached the victim outside the deli and struck him before taking his car. One man got behind the wheel of the BMW and drove off, while the other two bolted in a white van, police said.
Police description and tip line
Police described the three suspects as around 40 years old and between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall. All remain on the run.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the NYPD's Crime Stoppers program at 1-800-577-TIPS, as listed on the NYPD site.
Where this fits locally
Detectives circulated the suspects' description and renewed their call for tips on April 29, more than a week after the April 18 attack, per News 12 Brooklyn. The appeal comes amid other early-morning assaults reported this month in the 70th Precinct area, including a separate slashing on Flatbush Avenue earlier in April, highlighted in a Flatbush sidewalk slashing report.
How to help investigators
Anyone with photos, video or information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS or submit tips through the department's online tip portal. Callers can remain anonymous and may qualify for a reward.
Police say even small details, such as partial license-plate numbers, dash-camera footage or nearby store surveillance video, could help them track down the BMW and the white van used in the getaway.
