A man accused of shoplifting from a Queens bodega sucker-punched a 69-year-old worker at the store in a shocking incident caught on camera.
Surveillance video released by police Monday shows the man walk into the Long Island City bodega at the corner of 21st Street and 40th Avenue shortly before noon on Aug. 8 and allegedly stuff food items into his pocket.
The bodega employee watches as the man attempts to walk out of the store without paying and intercepts him, the video shows.
He grabs the suspect and recovers the items, but as he turns to walk away, the would-be shoplifter whacks the 69-year-old in the back of the head, sending him tumbling to the floor, according to the video and police.
The suspect appears to threaten the worker and other employees before fleeing, the video shows.
EMS rushed the worker to Astoria General Hospital in stable condition.
The suspect remains at large.