Yonkers Store Owner Dies After Being Stabbed by Shoplifter: Cops

YONKERS, NY — A Yonkers shopkeeper has died after being stabbed by a shoplifter on Tuesday.

The stabbing occurred at 5:40 PM according to Yonkers police who were called to 240 New Main Street at the Premier Fashion clothing store on Tuesday after the attack was reported.

The suspected attacker had already fled the scene on foot by the time officers arrived. First responders treated shop owner Ruben Martinez-Campos for stab wounds to his chest. The 47-year-old was taken to a nearby trauma center where he later died.

As police started a manhunt for the suspect, detectives from the Major Case Squad, Crime Scene Unit and Digital Forensics Unit began an investigation at the scene, interviewing subjects and witnesses, processing physical evidence and recovering surveillance video.

According to the preliminary investigation, the suspect was involved in an altercation with a local cab driver on Main Street just prior to the fatal stabbing.

The suspect then entered the Premier Fashion clothing store and allegedly attempted to steal at least one article of clothing. He was confronted by the store owner. As the dispute moved outside of the store, the suspect allegedly stabbed Martinez-Campos in the chest more than once before fleeing the scene.

The suspected attacker remains at large. According to detectives, a person of interest has been identified and investigators are working to make an arrest.