Beloved NYC supermarket worker, 64, dies in aftermath of scuffle with would-be Heineken thief: cops, sources

A cherished 64-year-old employee of a Manhattan supermarket passed away following an altercation with a shoplifter who attempted to steal a six-pack of Heineken last week, according to officials and sources on Monday.

The worker, identified by his family as Leobardo Hernandez, a father of four, noticed the attempted theft around 9:15 p.m. on Friday at the Morton Williams store located on Ninth Avenue near West 58th Street, just steps from Columbus Circle, police stated.

Upon confronting the suspect, a “physical confrontation” took place, as reported by law enforcement.

During the struggle, Hernandez was struck in the chest and was later found lying on a milk crate inside the store, his sons told WABC.

He was swiftly transported to a local hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries, police confirmed.

The specifics surrounding his cause of death and whether any criminality is involved remain unclear as of Monday.

The alleged thief dropped the beer and fled the scene without any merchandise, and was still at large as of Monday, sources indicated.

Henry Hernandez, one of Leobardo’s sons, recounted that he initially received a text from his younger brother stating that their father had been taken to the hospital, but he didn’t want to assume anything serious was wrong.

However, after receiving a distressing call from his sister, Henry, 31, hurried to the hospital to be with his family.

“Eventually, I made my way to the emergency room to join my sister, mother, and brothers, who were waiting for the doctor to update us,” he recounted the difficult moment when he learned of his father’s death.

The grieving son described his father, who immigrated from Mexico to fulfill the “American dream,” as the “backbone” of their family.

Leobardo, a father of three sons and one daughter, dedicated over ten years to Morton Williams, working overnight shifts while juggling another part-time job during the day.

“My father was the backbone for everyone; he held us all together,” Henry stated.

“He cared for everyone, even those he didn’t know. His kindness reached far and wide,” he added.

The last time Henry saw his father was on Wednesday, when Leobardo and his mother made a surprise visit to his apartment.

“He was the light of our family,” Henry reflected.

Henry claimed that the police have been tight-lipped regarding the investigation into the suspect his father contended with.

“When my mother received a call from one of the detectives, she was told they were investigating, reviewing the camera footage, but all they could ascertain was the commotion between my father and the robber,” he explained.

“They mentioned that they couldn’t see what occurred outside the store due to the lack of external camera coverage.”

“The police have yet to update us on the suspect’s identity,” he shared.

An autopsy revealed that Hernandez had a slightly enlarged heart, plaque, and previous health conditions, and investigators are considering whether stress from the incident contributed to his death, according to WABC.

Henry noted that his father “had not been feeling well” when he clocked into his final shift.

The city medical examiner’s office did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Post.

Hernandez’s family has started a fundraiser to assist with funeral expenses and to arrange for his return to his hometown in Mexico, where he had wished to be buried.

“We are heartbroken by the passing of Leobardo Hernandez, our beloved colleague and a valued member of our Morton Williams family,” the supermarket chain expressed in a statement to ABC.

 “He was a committed team player for more than ten years, and our thoughts are with Leo’s family and friends during this tragic time.”

Wakefern, the parent company of Morton Williams, did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.