Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Looters Raid Coney Island Liquor Store Through The Roof While Cops Keep Guard Outside
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 31, 2012
Modified Oct 31, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 31, 2012
Modified Oct 31, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday we reported that looters hit a Brookstone (WHY GOD?) at the South Street Seaport, but that was small potatoes compared with the action in the outer boroughs. Over a dozen people have been arrested for looting in hurricane-hammered Far Rockaway, Queens; according to the Queens DA, the suspects hit a liquor store, clothing stores and a Radio Shack. Looting was also reported on Coney Island, where one witness tells the Daily News, "People were running in and out of Rent-A-Center carrying these big flat screens. They were holding on tight. I couldn't understand how someone could steal a big TV in broad daylight, but no one cared."
Another looter, who identified himself as Jesse James, spoke with a News reporter while holding a stolen TV from Rent-A-Center. "Look, they've been looting our wallets for too long," Jesse James—that even is his real name—explained. "It's about time we start taking this shit back." Most of the looting on Coney Island took place early Tuesday as the flood waters began to recede, with a Rite-Aid relieved of its diapers and a Mega Aid Pharmacy emptied out of pharmaceuticals. "The water went away and these people started walking down the streets and just robbed stores," one pharmacy employee tells Huffington Post.
"It was complete lawlessness,” said Ron Troyano, owner of Joann’s Discount Wine and Liquors on Mermaid Avenue, tells the News. Police seemed to restore order in the afternoon, but Troyano says that while two cops were stationed out front, more looters "broke right in through the roof while the cops were standing outside. It's unbelievable. They were passing bottles down to each other from the roof."
Tagged
coney island
far rockaway
frankenstorm
hurricane sandy
looting
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Bronx community hosts vigil for boy killed in e-bike fire
Zion Maine died Wednesday after a lithium-ion battery ignited, killing him and injuring four members of his family.
By
Carol Chen
Published Oct 29, 2026 at 9:22 p.m. ET
8 people charged in $7M SNAP benefit fraud scheme
The scam impacted thousands of people, according to the Manhattan district attorney’s office.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
8 people charged in $7M SNAP benefit fraud scheme
The scam impacted thousands of people, according to the Manhattan district attorney’s office.
By
Giulia Heyward
California man was shot by a NJ detective in Moonachie, officials say
By
Kaya Laterman
The NYPD is confiscating e-bikes along a clogged East Village street
By
Willow Higgins
New Yorkers enrolled in SNAP will get more money for fresh produce next year
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .