Gold Snatcher Busted In Brooklyn
Detectives captured on Tuesday morning, Aug. 14, a Brooklyn man accused of committing a series of jewelry thefts from women walking along Glendale streets in recent weeks, police announced.
Jamille Spleen, 22, was reportedly taken into custody by the 104th Precinct Detective Squad and brought to the Ridgewood stationhouse for further questioning. He was initially charged with two counts of grand larceny; additional charges are pending.
As of press time Wednesday afternoon, the suspect was being held in custody and awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court.
Law enforcement sources said Spleen, working in concert with several unidentified accomplices, allegedly snatched necklaces from elderly women in two larcenies which took place on the afternoon of Aug. 2; he is also accused of taking part in the July 8 robbery of a third woman in the area of Myrtle Avenue and 79th Street.
As reported in last week’s Times Newsweekly, the two thefts on Aug. 2 took place only minutes apart from each other. Police said the first incident occurred at around 2:40 p.m., when the suspect allegedly grabbed a gold chain from around the neck of a 76-year-old woman walking at the corner of Central Avenue and 71st Place.
Spleen was reportedly observed entering a Nissan Altima nearby, occupied by several unidentified males, which fled from the scene.
Ten minutes later, authorities stated, the suspect allegedly struck again, grabbing a gold necklace from a 63-year-old woman in the vicinity of Cypress Hills Street and Cooper Avenue.
The incidents were reported to the 104th Precinct; neither victim was injured.
In addition to 104th Precinct officers, members of the 104th Precinct Civilian Observation Patrol (104COP) increased patrols in the Glendale area in recent weeks hoping to catch the suspect and prevent additional thefts, according to Frank Kotnik, 104COP president.
Based on information obtained during their investigation, the 104th Precinct Detective Squad tracked down Spleen at his home in the Brownsville section on Tuesday and took him into custody.
The investigation is ongoing, police said.
