Disturbing footage captures the moment a clumsy would-be thief in sunglasses barged into a Queens bakery waving a rifle — but ultimately left emptyhanded after a worker ran for his life.
The rotund ruffian stormed into the Paneoroma Italian Bakery on Jamaica Avenue near 96th Street in Woodhaven around 8 p.m. Sept. 23, before he flashed the large black weapon — bumped into a display case filled with bread — and demanded money, according to cops and video.
The footage, released by the NYPD Wednesday night, shows the would-be thief lumbering through the eatery with the rifle outstretched, pushing a chair out of his way and walking into the case.
A bakery worker fled on foot, escaping the intruder, cops said.
The gunman fled empty-handed and was last seen heading south on 97th Street in a dark-colored SUV, police said.
No injuries were reported.
In addition to the bandanna and sunglasses, the gunman wore a gray T-shirt, dark-colored shorts, and dark-colored shoes.
Anyone with information on the still-at-large suspect is asked to call the NYPD s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on X @NYPDTips.