By Alex Robinson
The 109th Precinct has issued a warning to residents reminding them of the increase in grand larceny and street robberies that typically happens during the holiday season.
There have already been 801 reported grand larcenies in the precinct this year up through Nov. 17, which is a 19 percent jump from what it was at the same point last year.
One of the fliers the precinct has recently been circulating warns people to protect their pocketbooks and purses.
“There have been recent incidents in the downtown Flushing area where women are having their unattended pocketbooks taken while they are eating or shopping,” it read.
The 109th warned Flushing residents against hanging their purses over a chair in a restaurant and said to never leave a purse or pocketbook unattended.
A second police flier informed residents of an increase in telephone scams. Police said to be wary of scammers who call claiming to be a relative asking to be wired money.
“Anyone calling and asking you for money must be considered suspicious,” the flier said.
It informed possible victims of telephone scams to contact their loved ones before wiring money, never wire money in a panic and never give out personal financial information over the phone.
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
