The Tudor Village home of Senator Joseph Addabbo’s sister was broken into and burglarized as his niece slept downstairs on Friday, February 27.
According to the Senator, the suspect(s) gained entry to the home through the back door and went upstairs, where they pilfered jewelry, two laptops and other electronic devices.
His niece, in her 20s, was awakened, and the thieves got out through the front door.
Though there were no injuries, the incident was the second in as many days in Ozone Park’s Tudor Village, which, according to tudorvillage.com, “consists of 388 homes [and] spans only six residential streets and two avenues.”
The other home invasion occurred on Wednesday, February 25 at about 10:30 a.m. in a private house on 133rd Avenue.
According to a police source, a female victim was tied up by a male in his 30s, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and orange vest, posing as a meter reader.
“They were reading meters and this guy looked like them,” said the source.
The perp allegedly took jewelry, cash and her car keys before the victim was able to loosen her restraints.
Once she freed herself, she ran into the street and 9-1-1 was called, but not before the suspect fled in her 2006 gray Volkswagen Jetta. There were no injuries in this case.
The police source told The Courier that “When the suspects see a Con Edison truck on the block, they’ll go a few houses down and tell you they need to read the meter, [so] you’ll think it’s legitimate.”
The rash of burglaries, which may or may not be connected, said the source, are mostly in South Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park, between 100th Street and the Van Wyck Expressway service road.
“They’re [the suspects] brazen, they’re creative and they’re doing it in broad daylight,” said Addabbo. “People definitely have to have heightened awareness of [who is] ringing their bell. With bad economic times, you sometimes see an increase in crime so people can make up for lost jobs.”
“We were very fortunate that the two people in the houses were not severely hurt,” said Frank Dardani, President of the Ozone Tudor Civic Association and the 106th Precinct Community Council. Regardless, he said, it is still “two too many” incidents.
According to Betty Braton, Chair of Community Board (CB) 10, Tudor Village has had a block watch in the past.
“It’s a good program,” said the police source, who said that residents are given basic training on what to look for and how to call in a crime anonymously, though Dardani admitted that it is sometimes difficult to get people involved.
The source also said that the 106th Precinct will be beefing up patrols, especially in areas where there have been problems.
In the meantime, residents are advised to lock all doors and let no one in their homes without calling for identification.
As always, said the source, “If you see something, say something” and call 9-1-1.
According to Elizabeth Clark, Con Ed spokesperson, “Safety is our number one priority.”
The utility giant wants residents to know that all Con Ed employees carry identification, and urges homeowners check the ID before allowing anyone entry.
Further, Con Ed urges you to know when your meter reading is coming (the date is on your bill), and, if possible, have a relative or friend present. If you suspect something is amiss, call 800-752-6633 and ask for verification.
“People need to be aware of what is going on in the community,” said Addabbo. “They need to be mindful of their neighbors. We need to work together.”
“Don’t make it easy [for the burglars],” he continued, urging that everyone lock their doors, set alarms, turn lights on, ask questions, and, most importantly, report suspicious activity.
“Only by reporting everything we see that doesn’t look right can the 106th Precinct put in for more police officers,” said Addabbo, adding, “We need those police officers rather quickly.”
