Five officers from Patrol Borough Queens South were honored recently by the Jamaica Rotary for their work above and beyond the call of duty and for keeping Queens’ streets safe.
“I really want to thank you guys that work together and make the neighborhood much better and much safer,” said Joe Iaboni, president of the Jamaica Rotary, which honors deserving officers each month. “For the number of police officers you guys have, you’re doing a great, great job. I don’t know how you do it. It is really amazing to see the sweat you put into it.”
Deputy Inspector Charles McEvoy of the 103rd Precinct honored two officers, Rey Alvarez and Craig Michels, whose apprehension of a thief was due to the dedication and work put in prior to the robberies.
Alvarez would regularly go to McEvoy’s office asking for pictures of problematic individuals and make contact with them, the Deputy Inspector said. One of these individuals committed a forced robbery of a cell phone on Thursday, October 20. About four blocks away the suspect committed another robbery. Alvarez recognized the individual, which led to an all-out pursuit by Michels and Alvarez. The officers apprehended both suspects responsible for the robberies and they are still incarcerated and awaiting trial.
From the 102nd Precinct, Deputy Inspector Armando DeLeon commended Officer Lee Petrovits for his apprehension of a sexual assault suspect that fled the scene of the crime. The victim was attacked from behind as she walked home and had rings and her pocketbook stolen. The suspect said he would give them back if she had sex with him. Her screaming alerted neighbors, causing the suspect to flee. Petrovits canvassed the area and proceeded to locate the individual in a backyard. After leaping over a few fences in pursuit of the individual, the suspect was apprehended.
Officer Mike Cozier of the 106th Precinct was feted by Captain Thomas Pascale for taking into custody an armed robbery suspect.
On October 15 at 4:30 a.m. on Liberty Avenue, two individuals, one armed with a gun, entered a restaurant and demanded the property of those inside.
Cozier was flagged down by one of the complainants who pointed out the perp, allowing Cozier to take him into custody.
“It sounds pretty routine, but Mike did a lot of extra work. Normally this is saved for investigative units,” said Pascale. “That area was loaded with ARGUS cameras. This robbery took place right in between two ARGUS cameras.”
Executive Officer Craig Adelman of the 113th Precinct lauded Officer Ryan Schmidt for apprehending a sexual assault suspect with seven prior arrests.
“With the dedicated work of members of the New York City Police Department and the relationship we have with the communities we serve, we were able to apprehend a sexual predator,” said Adelman.
On October 17, a female victim was dragged down from behind by the suspect, who tried to touch her inappropriately. The victim was able to fight him off and he fled the location. Schmidt was alerted by witnesses to the possible location of the suspect. He canvassed the area and gained entrance into the house where the suspect was apprehended and positively identified. He was charged with sexual abuse and forcible touching and is currently being held without bail and awaiting trial.
Assistant Chief of Queens South James Secreto spoke and commended the officers for the terrific job they do.
“You guys are out there where the rubber meets the road, and I have nothing but the most admiration and respect for what you do every day,” he said. “There’s no telling what the city would be like without you guys.”
