Clerk Beaten By Shoplifter At Newly Opened Dollar Store, Cops Say

Police officers detain and arrest 25-year-old Oliver Rodriguez of Brooklyn who was charged with robbery and assault. -Photo by David Greene

By David Greene 

NYC News Network 

October 2, 2023

BRONX - A clerk at a recently opened Bronx dollar store is recovering after being punched in the face by an alleged shoplifter, cops said.

A shoplifter hit a store clerk in the face with an object and then punched her in the face after the worker tried to stop the attacker from walking out of the store without paying, cops said. 

The arrest was the first at the new Dollar Discount shop  which recently opened at the site of the former Walgreens Pharmacy located at 1820 Williamsbridge Road.

Police officers from the 49th Precinct were called to the store at 12:44 p.m. on, October 1, for a report of a commercial robbery.

A police spokesman told the Bronx Voice, "Upon arrival officers were informed a 25-year-old male forcibly removed items and when confronted struck a female victim in the face with an object and then proceeded to punch her in the face."

Police say the suspect was attempting to steal $36 worth of merchandise when confronted by the employee.

The female employee was treated at the scene by paramedics.

Police charged Oliver Rodriguez, 25, of Autumn Avenue, Brooklyn with robbery and assault.