MANHATTAN – It was business as usual on bustling the bustling East 86th Street corridor this morning with one notable exception, the AT&T store at the corner of Third Avenue which sits closed, a NYPD patrol car parked in front of the Third Avenue entrance where a large pane of glass was now missing— smashed in and shattered overnight in the latest crime against a business on the Upper East Side.
A sign taped on the front of store’s 86th Street entrance reads “closed until further notice” and inside an NYPD officer wrote notes on a clipboard— gathering evidence as to what may have happened in the dark of night.
SEE IT: Suspects Put Guns in Clerk’s Face During Upper East Side Deli Robbery
Police on the scene initially said it wasn’t clear whether this is another disturbing case of destruction and vandalism or if the store had been burglarized— however, a AT&T store employee later confirmed to us the motive was theft.
According to the employee who spoke with Upper East Site, surveillance video from 2:30 this morning shows a man pull up to the AT&T store on a moped, park it and smash the window, then go inside and steal five devices before making his escape.
The store remains closed and the AT&T store worker said a NYPD forensic team is being brought in to dust for fingerprints, so it’s not clear when everything will be cleaned up and they’ll be back to business.
Meanwhile, steady stream of passers-by whispered to each other and took photos of the crime scene at the busy Yorkville intersection, commenting on perceived rise in crime in the neighborhood over the past year.
ALSO READ: Woman Groped Inside UES Subway Station that’s become a Hotbed for Sex Crimes
One older woman stopped to thank the officer standing guard out front, telling him she’s thankful he’s out keeping us safe— echoing sentiments we’ve heard at other recent crime scenes.
This is a breaking story, stay with Upper East Site for new developments.
For updates around the clock, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
