Police seeking suspect after string of robberies, stabbing of 70-year-old store owner in the Bronx
THE BRONX, New York (WABC) -- Police are looking for an individual behind a three-hour crime spree in the Bronx that targeted a string of shops and left a 70-year-old store owner fighting for his life.
The two armed robberies and stabbing happened just blocks away from each other on Dec. 15.
The beauty supply store owner, Kang Hwan Yoo, remains in critical condition after being stabbed multiple times in the torso.
Police believe the same individual who stabbed Yoo robbed two other businesses in the northeast Bronx earlier the same day.
The NYPD has released surveillance photos of the individual they are looking for.
The lack of an arrest is reigniting concerns of violence against the Asian-American community. However, police do not believe race was a factor in the string of robberies.
Nonetheless, Korean business and community leaders voiced their frustration Friday at a rally held by the New York Korean Association
"It sends a terrible message that there is some kind of open season on immigrant entrepreneurs and small business owners like Mr. Yoo," New York State Sen. John Liu said.
Yoo's business was the third in a row allegedly targeted by the same individual, but it was the only incident in the robbery string to turn violent, police say.
First, the suspect entered a Black-owned dry cleaner on Nereid Avenue just before 10:30 a.m. and pulled out a knife, demanding cash from an employee, police say. The employee gave the individual $6.
Around 12:15 p.m., surveillance video captured the moment an unidentified individual entered an African food restaurant on White Plains Road, walked behind the counter, and removed $200 from the register. When an employee confronted the suspect, they pulled out a knife, police say.
Finally, at 12:30 p.m., the unidentified individual entered Kiss Beauty Supply store on White Plains Road and stabbed the 70-year-old owner with a knife several times in the torso, according to police.
The person police are looking for was last seen wearing a gray jacket, dark pants and a black mask.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
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"We don't want to be killed, we want safety," said Terence Park with the Asian American Voters Alliance.
