Armed robbery attempt unleashes chaos at Brooklyn post office

NEW YORK - A scene of extreme tension was experienced this Monday in Brooklyn when an armed man broke into a United States Postal Service (USPS) office, took a woman hostage and fired multiple shots before fleeing on a motorcycle. Despite the violent episode, no injuries were reported. The incident occurred around 1:13 p.m. at the branch located at 1288 Coney Island Avenue, in the Midwood sector. According to the New York Police (NYPD), the suspect entered armed and pointed a gun at the back of a 37-year-old woman, the only customer present in the lobby. He then demanded money from the postal staff, causing panic among the employees, who fled to protect themselves.

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According to witnesses, the assailant fired four times at the door separating the public area from the staff, without managing to enter the restricted area or obtain cash. "He didn't find anything... we are all shocked," declared a worker to amNY under condition of anonymity. Minutes after the failed robbery, the subject escaped on a motorcycle heading west on the same Coney Island Avenue. However, around 1:32 p.m., he struck again. This time, he attempted to rob a Pay-O-Matic check-cashing business on Utica Avenue, in the East Flatbush area. As in the first attempt, he failed to steal anything and, in his hasty escape, lost control of the motorcycle and crashed, at which point he was finally apprehended by the authorities. A firearm, presumed to have been used in both incidents, was recovered at the scene. The suspect, whose identity has not yet been revealed, remains in custody at the NYPD's 63rd Precinct. According to police sources, he has so far refused to cooperate with investigators. Following the initial incident, the USPS office was closed to the public to allow for the collection of ballistic evidence and the review of security camera footage. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service confirmed that it is working in conjunction with local authorities to clarify what happened. "We are actively collaborating with our police partners in this ongoing investigation," the agency said in a statement.