By Thomas Tracy By Thomas Tracy
GONE FOR 60 YEARS: A 42-year-old man with a long criminal history was arrested, once again, by police when he was spotted allegedly attempting to steal a car outside 250 Clarkson Avenue Sunday morning. Police said that the suspect, identified as Troy Pearson, was nabbed in the early morning hours of June 19 after allegedly being spotted jimmying a lock of car parked on the East Flatbush block. Police Officer Michael Dwyer was credited with the arrest. Cops said that Pearson had 31 prior arrests. Nine of the arrests were for grand larceny of an auto. *** CAR, DRIVER SOUGHT IN HIT AND RUN: A red-colored Suzuki with Connecticut plates is being sought for a near fatal hit and run in Borough Park last week, officials said. Police said that the victim, a 70-year-old man, was crossing near the corner of 12th Avenue and 49th Street at 6:30 p.m. on June 16 when the Suzuki sped through the intersection. The car struck the senior, who was “blasted” into the air and back across the intersection, officials said. The victim was rushed to Lutheran Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition. Cops are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward. Tipsters could receive up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible. Calls can be made to the NYPD Crimestoppers hotline at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential. *** COPS CRACK ROBBERY RING: A robbery crew that preyed upon people walking along Flatbush Avenue was cracked wide open with the arrest of three men. Michael Barnwell, Freddy Patrice and Jermall Lapaix were charged with multiple counts of robbery after they were taken into custody on June 13. Sources said that the suspects were taken into custody after cops found their alleged “base of operations” – a home on the 5100 block of Snyder Avenue. The belongings of several robbery victims were found inside the home, along with a .380 caliber pistol and several stolen credit cards officials alleged. Sources alleged that Barnwell and his crew would mostly use “strong-arm” tactics to rob women of their purses and belongings as they walked up and down Church Avenue. Sometimes the suspects allegedly used a gun or a knife, officials said. As of this writing, Barnwell was charged with three counts of robbery. Patrice and Lapaix had been each charged with one count of robbery. Police said that these holdups took place in the last two weeks. *** LONG ARM OF THE LAW STRETCHES THROUGH TIME: A 25-year-old man was arrested for assault charges last week – almost a year after he allegedly engaged in the attack, officials said. Police said that Nkofi Nobel, was taken into custody on June 19 charged with assault and attempted robbery for an alleged robbery that took place on June 22, 2004. Officials said that Nobel allegedly attacked a woman and her boyfriend during a failed robbery attempt on Utica Avenue. The victims reported the attack, but cops never found Nobel. Last week, the victims saw Nobel at the corner of Church and Utica avenues and called police, who picked Nobel up without incident. *** STABBED IN THE CHEST: Cops are looking for the one who stabbed a 23-year-old resident during an argument inside McKenzie’s Sports Club on Nostrand Avenue. Police said that the victim was found stabbed in the chest following the fight, which witnesses said had spilled out onto the street. The attack took place just before 6 a.m. on June 19, said officials. The victim was taken to Kings County Hospital where he was listed in stable condition. Cops are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward. Tipsters, they said, could receive up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the ones responsible. Calls can be made to the 70th Precinct at (718) 851-5611. All calls will be kept confidential. *** MAN STABS SELF: An East 8th Street resident in Kensington was rushed to the hospital last week after he allegedly stabbed himself in the chest multiple times. Police said that the victim’s cousin found the 30-year-old man inside the apartment, located near Turner Place, at about 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15. The man had reportedly stabbed himself sixteen times, officials said. He was listed in critical condition. Cops said that they did not know why the victim had stabbed himself. *** SHOT ON RUTLAND ROAD: An area resident was rushed to the hospital after a daring daylight shooting at the corner of East 96th Street and Rutland Road Monday morning. As this paper went to press, cops were trying to track the gunman down. Questions were still being raised about a motive as well as if the victim was the intended target. Officials said that the victim was sitting in his car at the corner at about 9:30 a.m. on June 13 when the gunman fired at least two shots. One of the bullets struck the side of a building, officials said. The other bullet shattered a window and hit the victim in the leg. As the gunman fled the scene, the victim was rushed to Kings County Hospital where he was listed in stable condition after treatment. Cops are asking anyone with information regarding this shooting to come forward. Tipsters could receive up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible. Calls can be made to either the 67th Precinct at (718) 287-3211 or the NYPD Crimestoppers hotline at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential. *** KILLED STEPS FROM HIS HOME: Police in Kensington are looking for the man who stabbed a 17-year-old to death just down the block from his McDonald Avenue home. Police said that Ceaser Cruz, 17, of 531 McDonald Avenue, was stabbed in front of 504 McDonald Avenue during a dispute with an unidentified group of men. Officials said that a fight broke out between Cruz and his assailants just after 1 a.m. on June 12. During the scuffle, someone jammed a knife into Cruz’s belly multiple times, officials said. Cruz was rushed to Lutheran Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition. He died of his injuries a few hours later. Cops are asking anyone with information regarding this attack to contact the 66th Precinct at (718) 851-5611. All calls will be kept confidential. *** HE COMES IN TO FILL OUT APPLICATION, HELPS HIMSELF TO A SET OF CLUBS: A man who visited the Dyker Heights Golf Course under the pretense of filling out a job application allegedly broke into a member’s locker, taking over $1700 in golf clubs, officials said. Police said that the would-be job hunter, identified as James McCloud, entered the course offices, located at the corner of 7th Avenue and 86th Street at 1:10 p.m. on June 12 and filled out an application for employment. As he left, workers said that McCloud allegedly opened a locker. He was in the process of taking a golf bag filled with nine-irons, putters and wedges when workers stopped him and called police, officials allege. Officials from the golf course said that McCloud’s chances for employment were “unlikely.” *** As they have done for the past 21 years, the 66th Precinct plans a fun and festive National Night Out Against Crime celebration this August. But, in order to do that, they’ll need some help from the community. During Thursday’s gathering of the 66th Precinct Community Council, President Fran Staropoli announced that the council would be seeking the support of local businesses and community groups. “We would appreciate any donations that would make this National Night Out Against Crime a success,” she said as she handed out fliers and asked council members to post the fliers in public places. This year’s National Night Out Against Crime event is scheduled for August 2. The celebration will be held, rain or shine, either inside or outside the 66th Precinct at 5822 16th Avenue, organizers said. The event will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. When it comes to the “must have” items, candy and snacks soda and juice rank highest on their list, members said. August’s Night Out Against Crime is a national crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. Its roots stretch back to the early 1980s when crime was running rampant throughout most of the country. Back then, the purpose of the National Night Out Against Crime was to officially stand up against the criminal element. Usually, participants were equipped with flashlights to “shine a light” against crime and drug dealing. Over the years, as crime has gone down in the city and in the borough, the absolute necessity for a National Night Out Against Crime has dwindled. Still, local police precincts and their community councils hold a National Night Out Against Crime event. According to the National Association of Town Watch, 34 million people participated in National Night Out Against Crime events nationwide. To this day, the three tenets of the event are to generate support for local anticrime programs; to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals informing them that “neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.” While some communities hold parades, barbecues and softball games, the 66th Precinct, which protects Borough Park, Kensington and parts of Midwood, traditionally celebrate by holding a block party. The street in front of the precinct is closed off to cars and opened for area children to play games and interact while police and other organizations disseminate important information to visitors. Guests include local elected officials, cops from mounted and other specialized units, organizers said. Even Batman himself has been known to make an appearance. “It’s a busy night, but a fun one,” said Captain DeBlasio, the commanding officer of the 66th Precinct. “We have a lot of events for the kids, Maimonides and other hospitals give out health information. It’s a good way to meet the cops from the precinct.” Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact the 66th Precinct Community Affairs office at (718) 851-5601.
