Investigators say three assailants beat employees at a Rainbow shop on East Fordham Road, then ran toward Valentine Avenue.
BRONX, NY — Police are searching for three people after a violent robbery at a Rainbow clothing store on East Fordham Road that left three employees injured on Dec. 23 at about 6:40 p.m., authorities said. The suspects ran from the scene toward Valentine Avenue.
The case matters because it unfolded along one of the Bronx’s busiest retail corridors during peak holiday shopping, and the suspects remain at large. The New York Police Department says a 22-year-old male employee first confronted the trio as they grabbed merchandise. Two attackers then beat him, and a 20-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man who tried to intervene were also assaulted. All three workers were hurt; the 22-year-old went to a hospital on his own and was listed in stable condition. Detectives are reviewing store video and canvassing nearby shops as the investigation continues.
According to police, the confrontation began inside the Rainbow store at 226 East Fordham Road when three people were seen removing items. When the 22-year-old staffer stepped in, two of the suspects “punched and kicked [him] multiple times,” police said. The struggle spilled through the sales floor as coworkers tried to break it up. The woman and the older man were also struck before the group of assailants bolted out the door and headed south toward Valentine Avenue. It was not immediately clear whether the suspects made off with any merchandise. Officers responded after 911 calls and spoke with the workers and witnesses while emergency crews evaluated injuries at the scene.
Investigators said the workers suffered multiple blows but did not describe any fractures or internal injuries. The 22-year-old later checked into a hospital and remained in stable condition; the other two employees reported minor injuries and were treated at the store. Police said the assailants acted together during the theft attempt and attack. Detectives are analyzing surveillance footage from inside the shop and along Fordham Road, interviewing witnesses, and mapping the route the suspects took after they fled toward Valentine Avenue. Late this week, police released images of two people they say are among the three sought in the case and asked for the public’s help identifying them.
Fordham Road is a dense commercial stretch served by the NYPD’s 46th Precinct, which patrols Fordham South. The corridor sees steady foot traffic from subways, buses and nearby campuses, and stores often keep extended hours in December. City crime records show robberies in the 46th Precinct are far below 1990s levels, though retail theft and related assaults continue to challenge shop owners and staff in busy shopping districts. The Rainbow chain’s Fordham location sits near Webster Avenue and the Metro-North station, where police regularly coordinate with transit officers and business owners on safety and video-sharing protocols that can speed investigations.
As of Friday, no arrests had been announced. Detectives were working to match the suspects’ clothing and movements on video with tips that have come in since the images were released. Police were also checking whether the trio resembles people sought in other recent store incidents nearby, a standard step when patterns may be involved. If charges are filed, they could include robbery and assault. Any court appearances would be scheduled in Bronx Criminal Court, and officials said updates would be provided as soon as there is an arrest or new evidence to release.
On Fordham Road Friday morning, shoppers moved past the storefront as employees swept up inside. A neighboring merchant said the corridor was crowded that night with last-minute buyers and described seeing officers canvassing for additional cameras on side streets. “People were startled, but the police came fast,” the merchant said. Workers in nearby shops said they recognized the store staff involved and hoped they would recover quickly. The Rainbow location remained open, and a hand-lettered sign at the counter said hours would continue on a normal schedule.
As of this update, the suspects remain at large and police say the investigation is active. Detectives expect to review more surveillance and follow up on new tips over the weekend.
Author note: Last updated January 9, 2026.