Violent Thief Attacks Bronx Family Dollar Workers During Shoplifting Incident
A disturbing incident unfolded at a Family Dollar store in the Bronx this week when a violent thief attacked employees who tried to stop him from shoplifting. The suspect, described as a male between 18 and 21 years old, entered the discount store on Webster Avenue near East 168th Street in Morrisania around 2:35 p.m. on Monday and began grabbing items off the shelves.
Two brave employees, a 22-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman, intervened to stop the thief. In a shocking turn of events, the suspect bit the male worker on his arm and finger, and then proceeded to slash the woman on her arm with a knife. The violent assault caused enough of a distraction for the thief to escape with stolen goods.
The injured female employee was taken to BronxCare Health System and is currently in stable condition. The bitten victim declined medical attention. The NYPD has released a photo of the suspect, who was last seen wearing a green sweater, khaki pants, and black sneakers, carrying a red bag over his shoulder.
This incident comes on the heels of a concerning trend in shoplifting arrests in New York City, which have increased by 144% compared to 2020. The NYPD has been cracking down on repeat offenders, resulting in fewer individuals cycling through the system. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized the importance of taking these cases seriously and convicting serious shoplifters on felony charges.
Tisch also reported a 13% decrease in robbery and a 7% decrease in grand larceny citywide in the first half of 2025, attributing the decline to focused efforts on preventing shoplifting. Just three weeks prior, another violent shoplifting incident occurred in Midtown Manhattan, where a thief attacked a security guard with a knife while trying to steal a can of soda.
Anyone with information about the Bronx Family Dollar incident is urged to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish speakers. Tips can also be submitted online at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or through the @NYPDTips app.
