NYC Parolee Accused in 48-Hour Robbery Spree, 2 Dead

A parolee accused of killing two New Yorkers during a violent 48-hour robbery spree was arrested Friday following a manhunt supported by the FBI, police said.

Jesus Acosta, 31, was taken into custody Friday morning after federal authorities announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information that would help locate and arrest him.

“Thank you to our cops, detectives, and New Yorkers for their work on locating him,” the NYPD said in a social media post confirming the arrest.

Acosta had been sought in connection with two fatal shootings that occurred days apart, including a deadly Bronx deli robbery early Tuesday, police previously told News Outlet.

According to police, the gunman approached a 33-year-old man around 12:16 a.m. inside 149 Grill & Deli at 143 E. 149th St. and fired multiple shots, hitting him in the chest. The suspect then allegedly took an undisclosed amount of money from behind the register before fleeing.

The 33-year-old victim was brought to Lincoln Hospital in stable condition but later died from his injuries, police said. A fundraiser set up by his sister identified him as Tayvon Shuler, who was known to family and friends as “Plucky.”

The second shooting happened shortly after midnight Sunday at American Best Wings & Pizza at 842 Rockaway Ave. in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Officers responding to a 911 call found a 44-year-old man shot in the head and a 39-year-old man shot in the leg.

The 44-year-old was pronounced dead at a hospital, while the surviving victim was listed in stable condition, police said.

A GoFundMe identified the slain restaurant worker as MD Yousuf, a husband, father of two and the sole income earner for his family. The fundraiser said Yousuf’s family is trying to raise money to send his body back to Bangladesh for burial, cover funeral expenses and support his wife, mother and daughters, ages 12 and 3.

“MD Yousuf was a hardworking, kind man who supported his family and showed up for his coworkers every day,” the fundraiser stated.

Shuler’s sister, Tanasha Neal, said in a public Facebook post that her “little brother was murdered” on Aug. 25.

“I am still mentally trying to grapple with it,” Neal wrote, saying she set up a fundraiser for his memorial service so he could have “a nice send off into the after life.”

Before Friday’s arrest, the NYPD issued surveillance images and said Acosta had “Bronx” tattooed on his hand and “Bobby” tattooed on his left forearm. He was described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall and about 175 pounds, with short brown hair and brown eyes.

Acosta had been on parole since April after serving 10 years in state prison for assault and criminal weapon possession, according to state prison records reported by the New York Post.

In a statement to Fox 5 New York on Saturday, United Bodegas of America thanked the NYPD for taking Acosta into custody but blasted the justice system over his prior record.

“We are relieved that this dangerous man is off our streets, but we are outraged that someone with 13 prior arrests was released on parole after serving approximately 10 years for assault and illegal gun possession,” the group said. “The justice system failed these victims, their families and our communities.”

United Bodegas of America spokesman Fernando Mateo said the case underscored the need for changes intended to curb gun violence and improve bodega safety.

“Governor Hochul must support three to five years in prison for carrying an illegal gun, Mayor Mamdani must bring back bodega panic buttons, and Commissioner Tisch must expedite gun permits for trained, law-abiding bodega owners,” Mateo said.

The NYPD did not immediately release additional details about Acosta’s arrest, including where he was taken into custody or the charges he faces.

News Outlet reached out to the NYPD and United Bodegas of America for additional comment.