Bumbling Bandits Busted In Ridgewood
Mental mistakes made by two alleged burglars who struck homes in Ridgewood in two separate incidents last Friday and Saturday, July 23-24, reportedly resulted in their capture near the scene of the crime.
Law enforcement sources said 22- year-old Timothy Rivera of Belmont Avenue in the City Line section of Brooklyn was arrested after being caught napping in the bed of a second floor apartment at a 71st Avenue home which he allegedly burglarized last Friday afternoon.
One day later, police reportedly picked up 28-year-old Angel Duarte of Madison Street in Ridgewood, who was collared after stumbling over a fence while allegedly attempting to flee from a Woodbine Street home he broke into early last Saturday morning.
Regarding last Friday’s break-in, a female victim found Rivera sleeping in a bed inside the residence on 71st Avenue near 60th Lane at around 1:30 p.m., according to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office.
Authorities said that Rivera allegedly gained access into the home through a window. The victim reportedly found that a safe had been pried open and a bag containing gold and silver coins had been removed from within.
Members of the 104th Precinct responded to the scene after receiving a call regarding the break-in. Following questioning at the scene, Rivera was taken into custody by P.O. Anthony Rodriguez and was charged with second-degree burglary and second degree attempted grand larceny.
Court records noted that the suspect was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court last Saturday, July 21, before Judge James Griffin, who was ordered held in custody on $25,000 bail.
As for Duarte, officers from the 104th Precinct responded to a home on Woodbine Street near Cypress Avenue at around 4:15 a.m. last Saturday after receiving a call regarding a burglary.
According to information obtained by law enforcement agents, a male resident returned home to find a security gate, which had been attached to a window, on the ground. He reportedly contacted police after observing Duarte inside the location.
Moments after police arrived at the scene, the criminal complaint noted that Duarte was spotted allegedly jumping out of a window from the apartment. He then fell as he attempted to jump over a gate, it was reported.
Police stopped Duarte and, following a search, recovered items belonging to the victim, including two watches, a yellow metal bracelet, an iPhone and a cell phone.
Duarte was cuffed by P.O. Christopher McDonald and charged with second-degree burglary and petit larceny, law enforcement sources said.
According to court records, the suspect was arraigned later that day in Queens Criminal Court before Judge Suzanne Melendez, who ordered him held on $10,000 bail.
Duarte and Rivera are scheduled to return to court on Aug. 3.
