Boss Warns Of Robberies, Break-Ins
Law enforcement and community leaders focused on a pattern of home burglaries and robberies during the 106th Precinct Community Council meeting held last Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the precinct’s Ozone Park stationhouse.
Deputy Inspector Jeffrey Schiff, the force’s commanding officer, announced that the 106th Precinct was named 11th-best in the city in crime reduction out of a total of 77 commands.
“The men and women of the 106th are doing a great job here,” he stated, “But we still have more work to do.”
According to Schiff, the 106th Precinct has witnessed an increase in burglaries, five of which occurred in the two-week period between Nov. 20 and Dec. 3. In the past year, officers have focused their efforts on problematic areas in South Ozone Park. But, he noted, this only served to displace burglars to northern regions of their command, including South Richmond Hill.
The five recent burglaries occurred between 114th and 123rd Streets and spanned a twoblock radius between 107th and 109th avenues. In three out of the five instances, the residents were at home and were able to scare off the perpetrators.
Schiff expressed concern for the safety and welfare of homeowners.
“We take this quite seriously,” he explained. “It’s one step away from a possible home invasion where maybe they’ll use force. Hopefully they won’t do further harm to the persons at home.”
Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder echoed these concerns. “We have to be a lot more vigilant,” he stated.
In light of this recent rash of home burglaries, the precinct has shifted its focus and manpower.
“We moved our forced up north, but we’re maintaining a presence down south,” Schiff explained.
Business robbery pattern
In addition to home burglaries, businesses and commercial establishments in the precinct have also fallen prey to a series of violent robberies.
“There are two patterns that have emerged,” stated Schiff.
In the first pattern, thieves target local travel agencies in search of cash and valuables. This pattern first emerged back on Nov. 7, when a travel agency was robbed on Cross Bay Boulevard. The precinct was hit again on Nov. 12 with the robbery of another travel agency on Liberty Avenue.
In both cases, the perpetrators pretended to be customers looking to plan a trip. After a brief conversation, the suspects held travel agency employees at gunpoint and restrained them with zip ties. Employees were then ordered into a back room while the perpetrators robbed the stores.
According to Schiff, the same perpetrators also robbed a gas station mini-mart in the confines of the 63rd Precinct in Brooklyn. While this particular robbery does not fit the travel agency pattern, Schiff warns that it is, in fact, the same suspects and urged businesses in the entire borough to be on alert.
“During our travels in the 106th, we found out that these perpetrators possibly cased two other locations that they did not hit,” stated Schiff.
High-tech security cameras and alarm systems may have served as a possible deterrent in both cases, he noted.
The second pattern focuses on telecommunication stores along busy commercial strips within the 106th Precinct. The first robbery took place on Nov. 17 within the 75th Precinct; the same suspects struck at 10:46 a.m. on Nov. 22 on Cross Bay Boulevard.
In both incidents, the perpetrators wore masks and held up the stores at gunpoint, demanding cell phones and cash.
Photos of the suspects have been posted to the 106th Precinct’s Twitter page. Residents are urged to call Crime Stoppers or the precinct with any information.
Cop of the Month
P.O. Andres Gonzalez was honored with the Cop of the Month Award for his efforts in thwarting a burglary last month.
On the morning of Nov. 21, a neighbor called police while observing a suspect attempting to break into a home. Officers from the 106th Precinct were already on patrol in the area and quickly responded to the call.
When the officers arrived on the scene, they observed the burglary in progress and approached the suspect who was oblivious to their presence. The perpetrator panicked at the sight of the officers and attempted to flee the scene.
Gonzalez caught up with the suspect and a struggle ensued during which a loaded firearm fell from the suspect’s waistband. The perpetrator attempted to reach for the gun, but Gonzalez was able to capture and apprehend him before he could do so.
As the officer struggled with the perpetrator, a female lookout approached Sgt. Joseph Mascia from behind with a hammer. The responding back-up unit saw this and was able to tackle the female suspect before she was able to harm Mascia.
According to Schiff, the suspects have no prior arrests and do not live within the confines of the 106th Precinct. Schiff believes this is an isolated incident and is not linked to the emerging pattern of home breakins in the area. However, Schiff was very concerned as to why the pair targeted the area, as well as that house in particular.
Schiff and Precinct Council President Frank Dardani praised Gonzalez and presented him with a plaque donated by the Times Newsweekly.
Nightlife
Law enforcement officials also spoke about a Dec. 4 meeting held at the stationhouse in which officers met with the owners of nearly a dozen bars, clubs and lounges in an effort to curb crime surrounding nightlife establishments.
“We’ve had a really good year regarding crime around the bars and clubs and we want to keep it that way,” observed Lt. Frank DiPreta, the precinct’s special operations coordinator.
DiPreta specifically cited a hookah lounge on 108th Street and Liberty Avenue as an area of particular concern.
“That place has been on our radar from the day it opened,” he stated. In the past year alone, the precinct has made nearly a dozen arrests at the location for disorderly conduct, noise and misdemeanor assaults. An additional 22 criminal summonses have also been issued there, three of which were issued in the past month for public urination.
“I’m on top of all of these clubs, but 108th Street and Liberty Avenue is definitely our focal point,” DiPreta added. “We will continue our enforcement over there.”
However, the precinct’s commanding officer remains optimistic that nightlife conditions will improve. According to DiPreta, bar and club owners agreed to notify the precinct prior to events so that the precinct can provide a greater police presence on those occasions.
The precinct will also continue to work with local Community Board 10 regarding liquor licenses for problematic establishments.
“The violence and crimes aren’t as prevalent as they were,” observed Schiff, “We want them to cooperate with the community because that is key.”
The next 106th Precinct Community Council meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 8 p.m. at the stationhouse located at 103- 53 101st St. in Ozone Park. For more information, call the 106th Precinct Community Affairs Unit at 1-718-845-2228.
