If you live in South Ozone Park, the 106th Precinct is cautioning that you be aware of a rash of burglaries in the neighborhood.
According to Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Joseph G. Courtesis, there have been 13 daytime burglaries – eight of which were home break-ins – in the past 28 days. The incidents are occurring from Aqueduct to 130th Street, from Rockaway Boulevard to the North Conduit.
Of the homes that were hit, said Courtesis, two were under construction, and one house was broken into twice.
The suspect, a male Hispanic with a mustache, was speaking Spanish as he ran out of a house and was confronted by the homeowner, according to police. He has been linked to at least two incidents, said Courtesis, and at this time, the squad is trying to put together a sketch of the suspect.
On Wednesday, December 9, the 106th Precinct arrested a man who allegedly gained entry to a home through a basement window on 123rd Street between 107th and 109th Avenues.
Police say he let his accomplice into the residence. The homeowner, who had been asleep, confronted the perps; one fled, the other began an altercation with the victim.
Courtesis said that when the suspect, who has a prior record, was beginning to get the better of the homeowner, neighbors jumped in to help. The perp was arrested.
“I’m sure it had something to do with what was going on in the area,” said Courtesis, who noted that oftentimes the would-be robbers ring doorbells to see whether anyone is home. “Ringing doorbells is a precursor to a house getting hit.”
If you suspect suspicious activity, call 9-1-1 immediately, say police.
