Wave of home and vehicle break-ins in NE Crown Heights

flackluster · September 2012

(Long-time reader, registered just to post this)

Over the past week, there has been a mini crime spree going on in NE Crown Heights, focused on the intersection of Bergen and New York Avenue (near that express B44/B65 bus stop and about a block west of the Brooklyn Children's Museum). There has also been a vehicle break-in as far west as Franklin and St. Marks.

I have counted at least ten vehicle break-ins and two apartment break-ins. These are all by the same perp, who uses a flat screw driver to pry windows until they shatter, then grabs electronics and tools within easy reach. The jobs are amateur, not thorough at all, but very messy. My own car was hit, and he/she only took an obsolete GPS completely concealed within the center console.

Police officers from the 77th report that they are too understaffed to help with surveillance or prevention. There is no detective assigned.

Things you can do:

1. Avoid parking near this area

2. Conceal valuables in your car and on your person

3. If you are a victim, make a police report

4. Call Community Board 8 at (718) 467-5574

I called the community board after I saw three more vehicle break-ins this morning. They are assembling a list of areas in the district that need additional help, and they will take your comments.

Thanks for reading! Help keep CH a lovely place to live and work.

jack krohn · September 2012

Probably some guy who just got paroled and is living with his mother/grandmother/sister/aunt in the neighborhood. With a little luck, he'll get caught sooner than later and be shipped back to Coxsackie.

whynot_31 · September 2012

Meanwhile, a website that serves our Orthodox neighbors (who mostly live just outside the 77th pct) also seems to have crimes to discuss:

http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?catid=23&blogid=1

eastbloc · September 2012

The stolen wheel thing happened on our block this spring. And yesterday I saw a big pile of shattered glass up the street.

whynot_31 · September 2012

Stealing wheels might be too sophisticated for the thief that Flackluster is describing.

While there is more than one thief in CH, this guy (described by CH Info) seems like he might be of the same skill set:

CH Info wrote: ...residents witnessed a Black male looking into cars on Montgomery Street near Brooklyn Avenue and acting suspicious. It did not take long before the suspect broke into one car, rummaged through it and proceeded to search for his next target.
He found the next vehicle, a minivan, further down the block and broke into it as well. As the perpetrator began leaving the scene he noticed that he was being followed and began running away towards New York Avenue. the perpetrator began leaving the scene he noticed that he was being followed and began running away towards New York Avenue.
Tens of residents came out of their homes and chased the perpetrator, who stupidly turned and ran towards the police precinct. When he realized where he was headed, he turned into the alleyway and began running between houses, coming back out onto Montgomery St. – right into the hands of a bunch of residents, who managed to stop him.
While stopped, the thief claimed he was innocent and that he didn't do anything, then suddenly took off running once again, only to be stopped just as suddenly when he collided head-first with a street sign pole.
The injury did not deter the thief though – who had the presence of mind to pull off his striped black and white shirt in an attempt to elude his chasers – but the scene grew so chaotic that nearby cops took notice, ran over and took the suspect into custody.
The police, together with Shomrim's assistance, located the owners of the two vehicles that were burglarized, and arrested the suspect.

http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=47039&catid=23#c

In my mind, here's a few of his errors:

1. He decided to "shop for valuables" in a neighborhood which he was immediately recognized as being out of place.

2. He broke into two cars on one block, this allowed neighbors (many of whom know each other well), time to respond.

3. He ran toward the pct.

4. He changed his mind and ran toward what is now a crowd

5. He ran into the pole.

6. If he is breaking into cars for income, he may lack the resources to hire a good defense attorney.

Wave of home and vehicle break-ins in NE Crown Heights

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