Chelsea smoke shop worker assaulted and robbed overnight

In the early hours of Saturday, a smoke shop worker in Manhattan was assaulted and robbed while on duty. The incident occurred around 1:40 a.m. at a store located at 370 Third Ave., near East 27th Street. A man dressed in black entered the shop and struck the 26-year-old employee in the face before stealing an undisclosed amount of cash from the register. Following the attack, emergency medical services transported the victim to Bellevue Hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition. The NYPD is actively investigating the robbery and has not made any arrests as of yet. This incident is part of a broader concern regarding safety in the Chelsea area, as police are also searching for a suspect involved in a separate sexual abuse case. Earlier in the week, a woman was approached on West 26th Street and 11th Avenue, where she was assaulted by a man who pulled down her pants and grabbed her. Authorities have released a description of the second suspect, who is approximately 5-foot-8 with a medium complexion. He was last seen wearing a blue basketball jersey over an orange T-shirt, along with blue shorts and white sneakers. The police are urging anyone with information about either incident to come forward. These events highlight ongoing safety concerns in the Chelsea neighborhood, prompting increased police presence and community vigilance. The NYPD is committed to apprehending the individuals responsible for these crimes to ensure the safety of local residents and workers.