106 Pct. ‘quiet’, though arrests made

Police Officer Phil McManus helped to apprehend the suspects who had allegedly been stealing ATMs in the Ozone Park area last year.
And for that, he was awarded Cop of the Month at the most recent meeting of the 106th Precinct Community Council on Wednesday, January 14.
“After they [the suspects] were interviewed they gave numerous other locations,” said Community Affairs Officer Kenny Zorn. “The case is still unfolding.”
McManus’ fellow awardee was Detective Thomas Ryan. Also at the meeting, at which Senator Joseph Addabbo - named Chair of the Elections Committee - was a guest speaker, were Community Board 10 Chair Betty Braton and District Manager Karyn Petersen, as well as a representative for Senator Shirley Huntley and an Assistant District Attorney.
Captain Joseph G. Courtesis then took the floor and told the crowd assembled - despite the cold - that over 40 summonses have been issued to the males that had been urinating by the Rite Aid on Lefferts Boulevard and Liberty Avenue.
A problem plaguing the precinct, he said, is rim thefts. Though three arrests were made, Courtesis said, “[there has been] a spike this year versus the year prior.” The rims being targeted, he said, are stock, usually 18, 19 or 20”.
Other crimes include cell phone thefts near the bus stop by P.S. 232, for which an arrest has been made; and trespassing on the properties of foreclosed homes.
And St. Helen School was broken into sometime last week, though details of the crime are still unclear.
All in all, however, Frank Dardani, President of the Community Council, said, “It was a very quiet month last month.”
There will be no meeting of the 106th Precinct Community Council in February. The annual Phaghwah Parde is set for March 15 on Liberty Avenue.