A Funko Pop figure thief in Union Square seriously injured a 77-year-old woman as he fled the store from which he stole the toys on Saturday afternoon, police reported.
The NYPD released video footage of the incident at the Barnes & Noble book store at 33 East 17th St., which occurred at about 12:20 p.m. on Sept. 10.
As shown in the video, the shoplifter browsed and then stole two Funko Pop figures, valued at a total of $35, from the location, then headed for the exits.
The store’s loss prevention team was alerted to the incident and attempted to stop the man at the exit, police said. That’s when the shoplifter made a run for it and pushed his way through several people, including the senior woman, as they entered the location.
The shoplifter shoved the 77-year-old woman hard into the floor of the store’s vestibule, then ran out onto East 17th Street. He was last seen running south through Union Square, then eastbound along East 15th Street toward Irving Place, authorities said.
The victim, meanwhile, briefly lost consciousness and sustained a head injury, police reported. EMS rushed the victim to Bellevue Hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.
Officers from the 13th Precinct responded to the incident.
Police described the thief as a man in his 20s with a dark complexion and a medium build, standing 5 feet, 3 inches tall, with black hair and facial hair. He was last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, gray sweatpants and gray sneakers while carrying a black tote bag.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
