DNA Links Suspect To Other Break-Ins
Already jailed for allegedly going on all-night scouting mission for potential burglary targets around Queens back in June, an Elmhurst man was reportedly charged last week for several break-in attempts around Maspeth, Woodside and Whitestone dating back to last October.
Michael Natindim, 34, of Van Loon Street was booked last Tuesday, Oct. 2, on counts of second-degree burglary, second-degree attempted burglary, criminal mischief, petit larceny and possession of burglar’s tools for four incidents which he was linked to through genetic evidence found at the crime scene.
As previously reported, Natindim was originally arrested on June 26, by members of the NYPD Patrol Borough Queens North after allegedly casing several neighborhoods during overnight hours. Reportedly, he was accompanied by a second suspect, identified as 22-year-old Edgar Mortel of 83rd Street in Elmhurst, and Natindim’s two-year-old daughter.
Two of the four new burglaries for which Natindim was charged took place early on the morning of Oct. 18, 2011 in Whitestone, law enforcement sources said.
According to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, the suspect allegedly cut through a screen of a window and attempted to enter a home on 21st Avenue near 157th Street between 3 and 7:30 a.m. He reportedly fled from the scene after being spotted by a resident.
In responding to the incident, the NYPD Evidence Collection Team found a piece of duct tape covering a light sensor outside the home, authorities noted. Genetic material matching Natindim’s DNA was recovered from the duct tape through testing by the NYPD lab, the criminal complaint noted.
Police said Natindim also attempted to climb through a rear window of a home on Seventh Avenue near 147th Street in Whitestone at 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 18, 2011. Once again, he reportedly fled after being spotted by a resident; however, he dropped a metal and wooden pole in the process.
The pole was recovered by the NYPD, and Natindim’s DNA was found on it through laboratory testing, law enforcement sources noted.
Authorities said Natindim was also charged with committing a burglary of a home on Jay Avenue between 54th Avenue and 68th Street in Maspeth on the afternoon of May 22 between 1:20 and 1:45 p.m.
According to the charges, Natindim gained entry through side basement window and removed personal property such as a tablet computer and jewelry.
Officers from the 104th Precinct and the homeowner responded to the location after an alarm system was triggered. While investigating the crime scene, police recovered a latex glove left behind at the home.
Testing conducted by the NYPD lab found genetic material within the glove that matched Natindim’s DNA profile, the criminal complaint noted.
Finally, authorities said, Natindim allegedly tried to break into a home on 63rd Street between 51st and Tyler avenues in Woodside between 1:10 and 1:20 p.m. on May 28.
Reportedly, a resident spotted the suspect allegedly climbing a ladder and attempting to open a window with a blow torch. Upon being seen, law enforcement sources said, Natindim allegedly climbed down the ladder and fled from the scene.
As the resident gave chase, police reported, Natindim allegedly removed a pair of latex gloves and dropped them on the ground on 51st Avenue between 63rd and 64th streets. The gloves were later recovered by the NYPD Evidence Collection Team, and testing found genetic material linked to Natindim.
Court records noted that Natindim was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court last Thursday, Oct. 4, before Judge Gia Morris, who ordered him held on $300,000 bail. He is scheduled to return to court today, Thursday, Oct. 11.
