Monday night March 22 the man who services the A.T.M. machine at the bodega on Essex St. between East Houston and Stanton Sts. had just filled it with $6,000, when a robber or robbers struck shortly afterward and cleaned it out. Calling it “a professional job,” the man said at least they didn’t destroy the whole machine like they did last time, just neatly removing the door and leaving it on the side. A 30-year-old clubgoer from nearby Element was recently fatally beaten on the same block. Neighbors noted other recent crimes in the area, including a robbery Monday night March 21 at Element and a robbery at the Alife store, at 157 Rivington St.
