Special Meet On F.H. Burglary Pattern
With police continuing to battle an active burglary pattern in a section of Forest Hills, the 112th Precinct Community Council will hold a special meeting this Tuesday night, Apr. 2, to update residents regarding the situation.
As announced by Heidi Harrison Chain, president of the 112th Precinct Community Council, the session will take place beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy School, located at 70-01 Kessel St.
During last Wednesday’s (Mar. 20) regular precinct council meeting at the Forest Hills stationhouse, Capt. Thomas Conforti, commander of the 112th Precinct, informed residents about the pattern of break-ins dating back to Feb. 26 in an area generally bounded by Metropolitan Avenue, Yellowstone Boulevard, Harrow Street and 71st Avenue.
Conforti said that the perpetrator( s) have been breaking down the rear door of homes in the area in order to get inside and remove valuables. Though police responded by increasing patrols in the area during the time in which most of the burglaries have taken place, he noted, the suspect(s) responded by changing their strategies.
“The first four to five burglaries happened between 10 a.m. and noon. We massed deployment there; a week goes by” and nothing happened, Conforti stated at last Wednesday’s meeting. “The next week, they started hitting between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.”
“The good thing is that they know we’re out there in full force,” he added. “The bad thing is that we still haven’t caught them yet.”
Police obtained a description of one of the suspects, who was described as a black male believed to be 30 years of age, standing 6′-tall and last seen wearing a greenhooded sweatshirt. Though no other suspects were identified, the commander believes the suspect did not act alone.
Complicating matters, the commander noted, is a lack of information from the public regarding the pattern. The precinct learned that individuals living near two homes that were burglarized reportedly saw something as the crime took place but failed to call 911.
Hoping to raise awareness regarding the pattern and solicit tips from the public, Conforti stated, the precinct dispatched auxiliary officers to distribute flyers to area residents.
“We want to make everyone aware of what’s going on,” he said. “You’re the one that has to look out the window and say [somebody] doesn’t belong there. When you get that instinct, we need the telephone to ring, and we can get our guy.”
The flyer campaign proved effective, the commander stated, as days later, police got a call from a resident in the target area regarding suspicious activity. Officers from the 112th Precinct responded to the location within 40 seconds, Conforti said, but the report was proven to be a false alarm.
“I will not stop until these individuals are arrested,” he added. “We still need your help. If you see somebody [suspicious] walking down the streets or in the backyards, we need you to call. We’ll put this problem to bed hopefully sooner rather than later.”
To report suspicious activity or a crime in progress, call 911 immediately.
