Burglar on Citywide Spree Stole Booze and Cash from Popular Ludlow Street Restaurants

Photo: NYPD
Police are on the hunt for an opportunist who burglarized more than a dozen bars and restaurants across Manhattan during the coronavirus pandemic. Two of the commercial businesses hit were on the Lower East Side.
The crook ripped off booze, cash and electronics as far north as Morningside Heights between April 21 and this past Monday, cops said.
Last Tuesday night (April 28), the perp picked the lock on the door of Tre (173 Ludlow Street) to gain access. He then smashed the cash register with a brick to grab $300, plus removed liquor and wine totaling more than $1,000 before fleeing down the block.
His Hell Square spree didn’t end there.
About two hours later (April 29), the perp shattered the front glass of Sakamai (157 Ludlow Street), and ultimately made off with 24 bottles of booze totaling $893.
These two incidents are a fraction of the purported eighteen across Manhattan during a time when bars and restaurants are temporarily shut. In total, the suspect nabbed large quantities of liquor and about $30,000 in cash.
Police released surveillance footage of the man yesterday morning. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS; calls are anonymous.