A video shows the owner of a booze store in New York City shooting a would-be thief who had been kicked out of the store with an accomplice. The owner could face seven years in prison. But the leader of a big group of bodega stores wants the charges against the man to be dropped.
The 53-year-old owner of Franja Wine and Liquors in Ridgewood, Queens, caught the two thieves taking liquor bottles from the store around 7:40 p.m. Monday. With the help of another clerk, Valerio kicked them out,” says the Queens District Attorney’s Office. Two suspects, one dressed in red, were caught on video inside the store trying to stuff a booze bottle into his jacket. The video was shared with Fox News Digital.
The situation outside got dangerous when Kevin Pullatasi, a suspect who is 20 years old, charged at the liquor store door. Video shows that he pushed the store worker against the door, and the worker retaliated by waving his hand at him. This started a fight. The worker at the store is related to the owner.
After walking away, Pullatasi dropped his bag and ran back to the door. On film, Pullatasi can be seen kicking and punching the store worker.
In the video, that’s when shop owner Valerio shows up and is seen trying to pistol-whip Pullatasi. Pullatasi then falls to the ground after being shot. He then dragged himself against a car, and Valerio went over to see what was wrong.
Valerio is accused of assault in the second and third degrees, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and illegal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Valero has a permit to carry a gun concealed, and the DA’s office says the gun was hidden in his back waistband.
Both Pullatasi and Edwin Poaquiza were charged with petit theft. Pullatasi was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound. Prosecutors say they stole two bottles of booze and that both of them live in Brooklyn.
“All three of the people charged in this case will have to answer to the charges,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement.
“These shoplifters went after the store, but the stolen goods were found and the two men were led out of the store.” Around that time, one of the men hit the shop owner physically. Unfortunately, as claimed, that caused the shop owner to shoot without thinking on a public street during the day.
Fernando Mateo, founder and spokesman for United Bodegas of America, spoke out against the decision to prosecute Valerio. He said that the thieves had already broken into the store at least four times.
This type of theft must stop, and we have the right to protect ourselves, our businesses, and our neighborhoods, Mateo said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “District attorneys must stop prosecuting victims and charging criminals when they commit crimes.”
Mateo said that shop owners have to deal with theft, attack, shoplifting, looting, and robberies all the time. He also said bad things about New York’s policies that are thought to be soft on crime, like bail reform, which he wanted to be changed.
Franz Valerio has been married for 30 years, has two kids, and graduated from Columbia. He is also a legal gun owner. Mateo said, “He owns a liquor store and lives in the 83rd precinct. If he is charged, he will lose everything he has worked for.”
“DA Malinda Katz is holding his future in her hands, she must drop the charges.”
People who live near the store said they agreed with Valerio’s behavior.
“They were beating him up, and he had a permit to carry it. It was an accident.” “He shouldn’t be in trouble,” a neighbor told Fox 5.
