A homeless man was interrupted while using a spoon to jam open the cash register of a Peruvian restaurant early Wednesday in his fourth Forest Hills burglary, cops said.
The suspect — whom police did not identify — was observed by the 112th Precinct’s Anti-Crime team breaking a window in the front door of Cuzco Peru Restaurant at 98-102 Queens Blvd. at 2:25 a.m. on Wednesday.
The 60-year-old perpetrator entered the establishment by opening the front door through the window and police followed him into the restaurant shortly after, authorities said. The man was interrupted while attempting to use a spoon to open the cash register, and he managed to escape through a back entrance in the building before being apprehended by officers.
The man was arraigned on a charge of burglary in the third degree and three counts of criminal mischief. He was held on bail or bond of $50,000.
Upon further investigation by the 112th Precinct Detective Squad, the suspected burglar was also arrested in connection with three other August burglaries in Forest Hills.
According to police, the three other commercial establishments the man is believed to have broken into are Hannah Medtrans Pharmacy in Forest Hills on Aug. 14, Trinity Tax and Financial Solutions at 116-16 Queens Blvd. on Aug. 17 and Health Professionals NYC at 116-20 Queens Blvd. on Aug. 18.
He is believed to have collectively stolen a television set and medical supplies including saline solution from the locations, but no cash. The investigation is ongoing.
