Investigators have released new surveillance video of the cold-blooded suspect wanted by police in connection with the heinous murder of a beloved Upper East Side deli clerk Friday night.
The new video, released overnight by detectives, shows the armed suspect — seen wearing a white Tyvek-style coverall jumpsuit and clutching a black pistol — inside a second deli, located in the Bronx, that was robbed just minutes after the the Upper East Side slaying.
Around 11:30 pm Friday night, police were first called to Daona Gourmet Deli & Grocery, located at 201 East 81st street, at the corner of Third Avenue. Inside, officers discovered the 67-year-old deli employee shot dead on the deli’s floor — murdered with a single bullet to his head.
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At this point, police have not said what unfolded inside Daona deli, however, law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, tell Upper East Site that the suspect shot the clerk dead during a robbery inside the Upper East Side deli — escaping with cash on an electric moped.
Just 15 minutes later, at 11:45 pm, police believe the same moped-riding suspect targeted the YAYA Deli and Grocery, located at 851 Melrose Avenue in the Bronx. The 47-year-old clerk at that deli, staring down the barrel of a gun, handed over $1,200 cash, cigarettes and merchandise, according to detectives. Thankfully, no one was hurt in that robbery.
Police describe the killer as a man standing 6’2” tall and weighing 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing that white Tyvek-style jump suit over a black sweatshirt and pants, with a black balaclava covering his face.
At Daona Gourmet Deli & Grocery on Saturday night, Upper East Side residents paid their respects to the slain deli worker as they passed by a makeshift memorial assembled by neighbors in front of the normally 24-hour deli, which is now closed.
Potted flowers, a bouquet, candles and a handwritten message from a group identifying themselves as neighbors who live a few doors down from Daona declare that “the good Lord will always be with you.” Another homemade sign reads “3rd Ave ♥️’s U.”
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Police have not yet identified the 67-year-old worker who was killed, though, the message from neighbors is written for ‘Michael.’
If you recognize the suspect seen in surveillance images or have any information that can help police, you’re asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477.
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