The halal cart frequented by Fordham community members outside of Lowenstein was robbed on Monday, Oct. 18, at 3:12 p.m. One of the halal cart employees was cut when confronting one of the thieves.

In an email sent to the Fordham community on Oct. 19, John Carroll, associate vice president of public safety, wrote that no university personnel were harmed in the incident. Public Safety reported that two men approached the halal cart, and one person distracted the server by asking for directions while the other took the tip jar and fled on an electric scooter.

Carroll wrote that one employee chased the thief up 60th Street toward Amsterdam Avenue, where he confronted the thief, who then cut the employee on his hand and fled.

Robert Dineen, director of public safety, said Fordham was notified of the incident by the NYPD. Although officers arrived after the thieves had fled, Fordham provided closed-circuit television footage of the suspects to detectives.

“Unfortunately, while we certainly support all members of the public, Fordham University cannot be responsible for ensuring the safety of vendors who are not operating on University property,” Dineen said.

Bashir Elfiky, the owner of the halal cart, recounted the incident. He said one of the thieves asked his coworker how to get to Times Square while the other person ordered a cheeseburger, took the tip jar and fled.  

Another halal cart employee held the assailant by the arm, waiting for the police to arrive until the thief pulled out a knife and cut Elfiky’s finger.

“I love everyone here like a brother. I love my customers.”Bashir Elfiky, halal cart owner

“I said ‘Somebody help me, help. Somebody call the police,’” he reported. “He drove my hand down and broke my phone.” 

Elfiky has been serving halal food at the 60th Street location for five years and noted that one of the other employees has had his wallet stolen while working in the past. He explained that this robbery was out of the ordinary. 

“This is the first time I have seen somebody like that, young, about 18 years old … He did not have a mask … It was abnormal,” he said.

“The halal cart is a staple of our community.”Maddy Feltus, Fordham College at Lincoln Center ’22

Elfiky explained that he typically feels safe working near Fordham. “I love everyone here like a brother. I love my customers. I love my food. I love my truck,” he said.

“The halal cart is a staple of our community,” Maddy Feltus, Fordham College at Lincoln Center ’22, said. “When we had dining plans, we relied on their food. Fordham should support them.”

Many students were upset by the robbery of the halal cart and visited the next day to add more money to the tip jar.

The NYPD has not been in further contact with Elfiky about the robbery.

“A lot of my friends went to get food from the halal cart the day after the email about the robbery was sent out and made sure to tip the workers extra,” Feltus said.

David Fretz, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’22, said he frequents the halal cart every few weeks in between his Ram Van shifts. He said he believes that Fordham should supply the police with any security footage, but it would be difficult to do anything beyond that.

“What else is there to do? Install more cameras? Hire a public safety officer to watch the cart?” he asked. “At that point you might as well just give the halal guys the money it would cost and call it even.”

“I was sad to hear about the robbery — stealing the tips of anyone who works long and hard days is unfair, and the guys at the halal cart deserve it the least of anyone.”Caroline Doyle, FCRH ’23

Caroline Doyle, FCRH ’23 and a Ram Van driver, occasionally visits the halal cart during long shifts. 

“I was sad to hear about the robbery — stealing the tips of anyone who works long and hard days is unfair, and the guys at the halal cart deserve it the least of anyone,” she said.

Public Safety checked in on the halal cart workers in the days following the robbery. 

Dineen explained that the 20th precinct of the NYPD is still investigating the incident.

“On the day of the incident my duty supervisor went to the ambulance to check on the victim. His injury was minor and, thankfully, he was doing fine,” Dineen said. “My duty supervisor also stopped by the cart on the days following the incident to check on the vendor. Again, he was fine.”

The NYPD has not been in further contact with Elfiky about the robbery. They last contacted him for a photo of his injured hand on Oct. 19 and have not called him about the incident since.

Dineen explained that the 20th precinct of the NYPD is still investigating the incident.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Public Safety at (212)-636-6076 and speak with a public safety supervisor.