By Stephen Witt
A tip to the NYPD CrimeStoppers hotline led to the arrest for the 67th Precinct’s first homicide of the year, police officials said. Renadio Barrow, 17, a.k.a. Beanzie, of Flatbush was apprehended in upstate Schenectady, N.Y. without incident on February 16. NYPD homicide detectives made the arrest with the assistance of local law enforcement, authorities said. Barrow was charged with second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a deadly weapon after allegedly gunning down Ronald Petgrave, 17, in front of 66 East 52nd Street at about 1:30 a.m. January 22. Additionally, he is charged with second-degree attempted murder and criminal use of a firearm. Barrow was arraigned and remanded to to jail with no bail set and the case was sent to a grand jury, prosecutors said. Police said that Petgrave and another teen, Jamal Simon, were at a Sweet 16 party for another classmate at 62 East 52nd Street when they left to go to another party. Barrow may have allegedly been in wait for the two in what police sources suspect was a gang-related shooting. Petgrave was shot twice in the chest and once in the arm and died shortly after arrival at Kings County Hospital. Simon survived gunshot wounds to the cheek and right shoulder. Barrow has five prior arrests including one for gun possession, officials said. Police sources suspect he is a member of the BMW (Brooklyn Most Wanted) gang. Apparently there might have been a problem at the Sweet 16 party although what led to the dispute is still being investigated, police said. Following the shooting, police canvassed the area and interviewed several people at the party who may have witnessed the shooting. This led to the tip at CrimeStoppers, which allows for confidential calls where tipsters could receive up to $2,000 for information leading to a gunman’s arrest and indictment. The tipster told police the shooter’s street name was Beanzie, which then led cops to Barrow, police said. Police said following his apprehension, Barrow did not give a statement and no gun was recovered, but witnesses picked Barrow from a line-up. According to court papers The investigation is ongoing, police said. Meanwhile, Inspector Robert Boyce, the 67th Precinct’s commanding officer, noted that gangs remain a problem, particularly with teenagers. “We’ve had six people shot thus far this year and five of the victims were under 18 years of age,” Boyce said. The NYPD CrimeStoppers hot line is (800) 577-TIPS. All calls are kept confidential.
