Quantcast

Cops catch suspected Ridgewood car thief

HandcuffsHC0511_L_300_C_Y-624×413

He should have found somewhere else to park.

The day after allegedly taking a man’s ride at gunpoint, a Ridgewood man was locked up by police after officers spotted the stolen vehicle parked on a neighborhood street.

Law enforcement sources said Gergory A. Spok, 26, allegedly attempted to steal a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu on Summerfield Street at about 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25.

According to authorities, Spok allegedly got into the driver’s seat after the rightful owner briefly exited the car to open a driveway gate.

When the owner returned to his vehicle, police noted, Spok pointed a black firearm at him, then sped away from the scene in the car. The theft was later reported to the 104th Precinct.

According to the criminal complaint provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, Det. Oleg Matat of the 104th Precinct Detective Squad spotted the stolen vehicle at around 1:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon parked in front of a location on Forest Avenue. After a check of the car’s license plate confirmed that it was stolen, officers were dispatched to stake out the car until someone attempted to enter it.

P.O. Louis Marinacci responded to the scene and, from his own police vehicle, reportedly observed Spok enter the stolen Malibu and turn on the engine. Police said the officer stopped Spok without incident and took him into custody.

Spok was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on Friday on charges including first-degree armed robbery, second-degree robbery and criminal possession of stolen property. He remains held on $5,000 bail and is due back in court on April 10.

RECOMMENDED STORIES