NEW YORK, NY—A theft at a Midtown Manhattan store escalated into an assault on Wednesday. At around 3:15 PM, a 38-year-old male employee witnessed three unknown females illegally removing clothing from a store located at 39 West 34th Street in the 14th Precinct. After the suspects exited without paying, the employee attempted to retrieve the stolen items.

During the confrontation, the employee was punched in the eye by the thieves, who then escaped. They were last seen heading west on 34th Street towards the subway station. Despite the altercation, the victim declined any medical treatment.

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