For getting criminals off the streets – and for positively impacting the lives of youths – police officers were honored last week by the Jamaica Rotary Club.
Proud president Joe Iaboni, who recently bought a bicycle and donated it to the 113th Precinct, emphasized that, “this is what this club is all about – giving back.”
In the 103rd Precinct, Police Officer Christopher Lopez and Sergeant Frank Demma were feted with the Edward R. Byrne Memorial Cop of the Month Award for their work in apprehending a bank robbery suspect.
In fact, Chief James Secreto, Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Queens South (PBQS), said he recalled hearing about the robbery in progress, and was extremely proud to know that the suspect had been nabbed.
It was on July 14 when Lopez and Demma canvassed the area around Sutphin Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue, found the vehicle, which had been stolen, allegedly used in the robbery, and arrested the female perp, effectively closing out the pattern.
For their work with the youth of the community – and the leaders of tomorrow – Officers Juliette Thomas and Maurice Richardson were honored by Deputy Inspector Kristel Johnson, Commanding Officer of the 113th Precinct.
“One day I’d like to come up here and tell you I’m 100 percent down in crime,” she said, to which Secreto jokingly added, “Me too.”
Thomas, a 29-year veteran, is a youth officer, and Richardson, with a dozen years on the Force, is a truant officer.
“Julie has had a lot of good influence on the youth who come into the 113th Precinct,” said Johnson. “Positive interaction with juveniles is important.”
Deputy Inspector Joseph G. Courtesis, Commanding Officer of the 106th Precinct, then acknowledged that the awards from the Jamaica Rotary “go a long way.”
Captain Craig Adelman, Executive Officer, and Officer Brian E. Drechsel were pivotal in solving two grand larcenies that occurred in the command on June 6.
The perp allegedly took a woman’s purse, containing cash and credit cards, from her car as she filled up at the Hess Station on Cross Bay Boulevard. Hours later, the suspect struck again, but this time, there was a witness. The victim went into the precinct, and officers soon found that the stolen credit cards were being used at a gas station on Rockaway Boulevard. The officers saw that the perp, a male Hispanic in his 20s with multiple prior arrests, had Florida plates, and soon pulled him over for a traffic stop at 96th Street and Sutter Avenue. They saw that, in his wallet, were various stolen credit cards.
“It was fantastic work,” said Courtesis.
And in the 102nd Precinct, Officers Pegeen Roberto and Ralph Perez took a recidivist off the streets.
On August 12, during a robbery in progress, the pair got a description of the suspect, and arrested him after a brief pursuit. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and grand larceny auto. A second perp was later apprehended as well.
To end the monthly meeting, two new Jamaica Rotary members were installed, and new Community Affairs officers for PBQS were introduced, as well as the new Executive Officer of the 113th Precinct.
Secreto commended the “terrific work” of the officers and their superiors in keeping Queens South safe.
