Friday, April 22, 2022

City honors Saifee Hardware manager Francisco Puebla for role in nabbing alleged subway shooter

Francisco "Frank" Puebla, the longtime manager at Saifee Hardware & Garden on First Avenue and Seventh Street, was one of five people honored by the city on Wednesday for their role in helping catch the alleged Sunset Park subway shooter. 

As Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said during the ceremony at the Police Department HQ: "Each of these individuals exemplifies the determination and courage that makes us all proud to be New Yorkers. Their actions remind us every day, in every corner of our city, we are surrounded by heroes." 

The five will split a $50,000 reward. (This piece from the Times has more on this ceremony.) 

As previously reported, Frank James reportedly shot 10 people on a subway train in Sunset Park on April 12. In total, 29 people were wounded in the aftermath on the train and platform. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said James was charged with one count of violating a law prohibiting terrorist and other violent attacks against mass transit systems. James could face up to life in prison if convicted.

Police arrested James on April 13 on the NE corner of First Avenue and St. Mark's Place... aided by the actions of Puebla and the other tipsters, Mohamad Cheikh, Zack Tahhan and Jack Griffin. (The fifth tipster asked to remain anonymous.)

You can read our previous posts for more background. 

• Suspect in Sunset Park subway shooting arrested in the East Village (April 13

• Videos: Witnesses describe spotting alleged subway shooter Frank James before his arrest in the East Village (April 13

• 5 people are splitting the $50,000 Crime Stoppers reward for Frank James tip (April 16

Image via @saifeehardware

2 comments:

Unknown said...

yay for him and the others!

cat said...

Glad to hear the reward was actually paid out