Upper West Side Businesses Targeted in Early Morning Burglary Spree

Police are investigating a series of burglaries that occurred on the Upper West Side early Thursday morning, during which two individuals wearing ski masks and all-black clothing targeted three local businesses.

The spree began at approximately 6:20 a.m. at El Gallo Taqueria, located at 502 Amsterdam Avenue between West 84th and 85th streets. According to the NYPD, the suspects used a large rock to force entry into the restaurant. While authorities confirmed that items were removed from the premises, the specific nature of the stolen property remained unconfirmed as of Thursday morning.

Shortly after the first incident, the same suspects reportedly moved south to the 300 block of Amsterdam Avenue, targeting both Hummus Place and Frame Coffee, situated between West 74th and 75th streets. At Hummus Place, the individuals successfully shattered a front window but were unable to gain entry to the interior of the restaurant.

At the adjacent Frame Coffee, the suspects managed to break a window above the front door to enter the shop. Once inside, they seized a cash register and placed it into a backpack before fleeing the scene. However, the attempt proved unsuccessful; according to management and police reports, the suspects were unable to open the register. The pair was observed abandoning the backpack containing the register in front of the coffee shop shortly after fleeing, potentially due to panic, according to a manager at the business.

As of Thursday afternoon, no arrests had been made in connection with the incidents. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to look into the string of break-ins. Business owners at the affected locations have begun the process of repairing the damage caused by the forced entries.