Metro

Man held on bail in gunpoint Rolex robbery outside Manhattan club

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Published July 31, 2022, 1:39 a.m. ET
Police are at the scene where shots were fired on 59 West 21st St. after a gunpoint robbery on July 30, 2022.
Police are at the scene where shots were fired on 59 West 21st St. after a gunpoint robbery on July 30, 2022. Seth Gottfried

A Bronx man was nabbed for a gunpoint robbery near a downtown Manhattan club in which a group of men in ski masks stole the victim’s Rolex, authorities said.

Usman Haruna, 24, was arraigned on robbery and grand larceny charges Saturday in Manhattan Criminal Court for the frightening incident, which unfolded just before 3 a.m. outside 59 West 21st St.

Haruna was allegedly with a group that approached a man standing next to a white Mercedes and patted the victim down before snatching his watch, chain, phone, cash, bracelet and wallet Friday, according to a criminal complaint.

Homicide detectives and police survey the scene near 59 West 21st St. after a robbery in the Bronx, New York on July 30, 2022.
Homicide detectives and police survey the scene near 59 West 21st St. after a robbery in the Bronx, New York on July 30, 2022. Seth Gottfried

Two plainclothes detectives nearby approached the scene, sending the robbers — who apparently then opened fire at the cops — fleeing, authorities said in court papers. The incident was caught on video.

Haruna, who faces up to five years in prison if convicted, was held on $25,000 bail, though Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Megan Mers had requested $200,000.

Detective take photos near the scene where a robbery took place on on W 21st Street and 6th Avenue in the Bronx, New York on July 30, 2022.
Detectives take photos near the scene where a robbery took place on W 21st Street and 6th Avenue in the Bronx, New York on July 30, 2022. Seth Gottfried
Police caution off the scene near 59 West 21st St. following a robbery that resulted in two officers being shot at on July 30, 2022.
Police caution off the scene near 59 West 21st St. following a robbery that resulted in two officers being shot at on July 30, 2022. Seth Gottfried

The young man, who appeared in court with his arm in a sling, is also being investigated in connection with a violent felony in the Bronx, Mers said in court.

Haruna told cops he’d stayed in the car during the early Friday incident downtown, and that the three people he was with showed him what he thought was a BB gun before they all fled the scene, according to the complaint.