Armed robbers bind staff and steal $30,000 of liquor and equipment at Manhattan bar
Three masked gunmen tied up two employees in a Manhattan cocktail lounge and walked away with nearly $30,000 worth of cash, liquor and DJ gear.
Police say three unidentified, pistol-wielding robbers broke into Obvio Cocktail Bar, a high-end venue on East 28th Street in Manhattan’s Nomad area, at about 4 a.m. on July 13. The suspects forced two male staff members, ages 38 and 43, into different bathroom stalls, binding their hands with electrical cords and tape while one gunman displayed a black pistol equipped with an extended magazine. After securing the employees, the thieves took a safe holding $7,000, DJ equipment worth $13,000, and $7,000 in premium liquor bottles.
The two workers showed only slight wrist redness and refused on-scene medical treatment. Images released by the NYPD show one suspect cleaning a gray 1993 Ford E-350 Econoline van, which investigators have since seized. The upscale lounge, known for its dress code and live DJ sets, has not yet commented, and the investigation remains open.
Why it matters
The robbery highlights security vulnerabilities in upscale nightlife venues and raises concerns about violent crime in Manhattan.
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