Brazen car thief thwarted

Scott Jordan said that Sunday, June 29 marked the fourth time in two years that an attempt has been made to steal his SUV, a 2006 Cadillac Escalade.
But this time, he - and his neighbors - witnessed the would-be crime.
“I work hard,” said the Papal Knight, whose son, Christopher, 10, greeted Pope Benedict XVI on his recent visit to New York. “What I have, I want to cherish.”
About 6:30 p.m., Jordan said, he and his family - who live across the street from the church - were helping the new pastor of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Father Paul Palmiotto, move in, when “we see this guy sitting on my stoop.”
“We leave him alone, because it’s hot,” said Jordan. “Then he makes a mad dash for my truck,” which was unlocked.
“We were just standing there talking and all of a sudden the [car] alarm went off,” said Father Palmiotto.
Finding Jordan’s wallet in the vehicle, the suspect “started ransacking the whole truck,” according to Jordan.
“My wife, son, even the pastor jumped in - with his pit bull,” he said.
The noise roused the neighborhood.
“All the neighbors, from 91st Street to 87th Street on 103rd Avenue, came out to help and chase the guy,” said Jordan, who expressed his gratitude.
“The police responded pretty quickly; the guy kept jumping from one fence to another.”
Nevertheless, the suspect, who Jordan says is between 25 and 30 years old, got away.
But in his haste to flee, he dropped his own wallet - with his benefits card inside.
Luckily, Jordan said, no one was injured in the fray. Cops are currently investigating the case.
Of the incident, Father Palmiotto said, “It was some introduction, but I’m here for the long run.”