QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) -- A group of people were caught on video breaking into a high-end boutique and ransacking the place, just a couple minutes after they allegedly robbed a man at knifepoint in Queens, police said.
The burglary happened at a store on Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing around 4:45 a.m. on April 22, according to the NYPD.
Several people can be seen on video running up Roosevelt Avenue before using a concrete block to break the window of Sesinko New York. The group then raided the high-end boutique.
The video showed the thieves running out with around $20,000 worth of merchandise and $1,000 in cash, according to police.
The store manager asked to remain anonymous because he and his employees are now concerned about their safety.
“They ransacked the place. In just a couple minutes it happened,” the store manager said. "We’re just speechless. The storefront glass was shattered. We called 911.”
“I grew up in Flushing, and it's one of the safest spots in the city. No one thought this would happen,” the store manager added.
Police have released surveillance images of 13 suspects allegedly responsible for the incident, as well as a robbery that took place just a couple minutes before around the corner from the boutique.
The same group approached a 38-year-old man at Union Street and Roosevelt Avenue with knives and sticks before running off with his wallet and $700, police said.
“They robbed someone at knifepoint before us," the store manager said. "What if they come back during the day with a weapon?”
The boutique has been open for about a year, with another location in the Bronx. After a fire shut down their Harlem location, the owners decided to set up shop in Flushing with the goal of serving the Asian community.
Even after the incident, the owners have no plans to leave. But they are considering adding more security and are hoping that police will increase their presence in the area.
“We always had a dream of coming to Queens -- like the heart of New York City,” the store manager said. “I was shocked and mad about it, but we feel this is the right place for us to be. We have good customers.”
No one was injured in either of the incidents. Police said the suspects got away and headed to the Flushing-Main Street subway station.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
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