NYPD: Machete tossed at police officer after attempted robbery at popular bagel shop on Staten Island

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — An attempted robbery turned violent when one of the suspects wielded a machete that he tossed at a NYPD lieutenant during an early-morning heist at a bagel shop in West Brighton, authorities allege.

After a string of violent incidents at Staten Island delis and bagel stores in recent weeks, state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore) held a press conference outside the deli on March 19 promoting legislation that would protect retail workers.

Scarcella-Spanton explained that the bill, S5479, would elevate an assault of a retail worker to the class D felony of assault in the second degree, which would also become bail-eligible.

“We are demanding changes and accountability so our workers and the community are safe when they are shopping,” said Scarcella-Spanton. “An assault of a worker here, feels like an assault on our family members. So we stand here today to say enough is enough. We need to make sure that we are keeping our essential workers safe because they should not have to live in fear of being assaulted when they come to work...We are so grateful for all the retail workers — for all that the retail workers do for us and we need to make sure that we are keeping them safe.”

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