Cops need the public’s help in finding a man sought for questioning in connection with a widespread burglary pattern in Ridgewood that’s resulted in 31 break-ins dating back to just before New Year’s Day.
The incidents occurred at apartment buildings scattered across the neighborhood, with the suspected burglar(s) climbing up a fire escape and entering a location through a window. In most cases, police said, the burglar(s) removed all kinds of property including jewelry, thousands of dollars in cash, laptop computers, designer handbags, security boxes containing personal documents, cellphones and even vintage medals.
Police released on March 15 video of the person of interest which had been taken at an apartment house in the vicinity of Cypress Avenue and Harman Street that had been burglarized between 6 and 6:45 p.m. on March 8. Authorities said the unidentified thief stole a wallet containing $1,000 in cash as well as a Samsung S6 cellphone.
Law enforcement sources said that most of the break-ins took place between morning and early evening hours; some of the victims were away on vacation while the apartments were burglarized. In a few instances, the burglar(s) didn’t steal anything after the resident walked in on the burglary or witnessed someone trying to break into their home.
The first burglary in the pattern took place between 9:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2016 at a home in the area of Grove Street and Fairview Avenue. Police said the suspect entered the apartment through a window near the fire escape and removed $5,000 in cash and $10,000 in jewelry.
According to authorities, three apartment buildings have been hit twice during the pattern: one in the vicinity of Madison and 64th streets that was struck on Jan. 19 and Jan. 23; another in the vicinity of Woodbine Street and St. Nicholas avenues on Feb. 13; and the other in the vicinity of Himrod Street and Cypress Avenue between March 10 and March 13 (the most recent of the break-ins).
The other break-ins in the pattern occurred at the following dates, times and locations:
- Reported at 6:45 p.m. on Jan. 9 in the vicinity of Menahan Street and Seneca Avenue;
- Between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Jan. 9 in the vicinity of Grove Street and Woodward Avenue;
- Between 2:45 and 5 p.m. on Jan. 12 in the vicinity of Linden Street and Cypress Avenue;
- Between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 16 in the Onderdonk and 69th avenues;
- Between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 27 in the area of Gates and St. Nicholas avenues;
- Between 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Jan. 27 in the area of Cypress Avenue and Madison Street;
- Between 7:55 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 2 in the area of Seneca Avenue and Menahan Street;
- Reported at 6:35 p.m. on Feb. 8 in the area of Grove Street and Woodward Avenue;
- Between 9 a.m. and 9:20 p.m. on Feb. 8 in the area of Cypress Avenue and Harman Street;
- Between 6 p.m. on Feb. 13 and 12:45 a.m. on Feb. 14 in the vicinity of Harman Street and Seneca Avenue;
- Reported at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 in the vicinity of Cypress Avenue and Menahan Street;
- Reported at 1:50 a.m. on Feb. 23 in the vicinity of Seneca Avenue and Weirfield Street;
- Between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Feb. 23 in the vicinity of Palmetto Street and Cypress Avenue;
- Between 3 and 8 p.m. on Feb. 23 in the vicinity of Seneca Avenue and Bleecker Street;
- Between 12 and 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 25 at an undisclosed location in Ridgewood;
- Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 in the vicinity of 71st Avenue and 60th Street;
- Between 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 at an undisclosed location in Ridgewood;
- Between 5:30 and 7 p.m. on March 1 in the vicinity of Harman Street and Seneca Avenue;
- Between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on March 2 in the vicinity of 71st Avenue and 60th Street;
- Reported at 6:35 p.m. on March 3 in the vicinity of Onderdonk and 69th avenues;
- Between 6 and 11:35 p.m. on March 3 in the vicinity of Cypress Avenue and Harman Street;
- Between 2 and 9 p.m. on March 8 in the area of Madison Street and Woodward Avenue; and
- Between 7:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. on March 13 in the vicinity of Himrod Street and Cypress Avenue.
All of the incidents were reported to the 104th Precinct.
Anyone with information regarding the burglary pattern or the suspect’s whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS, visit their website or send a text message to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
