Grand Larceny: That SUV was no livery
Lack of a yellow cab’s “on duty” light, and perhaps a few drinks, may have been behind a nightclub patron’s unwise decision to enter what she thought was a livery cab — after a night of West Chelsea partying. The incident happened at around 3am on Sat., April 4, when the young woman entered a black SUV parked at 335 W. 16th St., then stated to the driver that she wanted to go Uptown. At that point, a male (with a Russian accent) who was sitting in the back seat took the victim’s Chanel black leather purse from underneath her right arm. When the vehicle stopped, on the southeast corner of W. 18th St. & 7th Ave., the woman made a run for it — and the vehicle continued southbound. In describing the event to police, the victim noted that the driver and the man in the back seat seemed to know each other. She also noted that before she could cancel her debit card, it had been used for a $40 and an $80 transaction. Among the other stolen items in her purse: an iPhone 4S valued at $200, $100 worth of makeup and, strangely, a Cartier gold wedding band valued at $1,800.
Grand Larceny: Photo snap set him off
This crazed cabbie managed to be lewd, rude, grabby and punchy — all without even getting behind the wheel. On Sun., April 21, at around 5:30pm, a woman was walking with her daughter — and spotted the man standing beside his cab, in public view, urinating into a bottle. Taking care of his business in this manner left his business end exposed, and the woman took a photo with her cell phone for some caught-in-the-act proof. The cab driver then demanded the photo — grabbing the woman from behind, in a bear hug, and attempting to remove the phone from her front right pocket. When the daughter intervened, she was punched in her face and had her left arm grabbed (causing swelling and bruising to the face, and swelling to the arm). Uniformed officers, responding to the scene (in front of 214 W. 29th St.), arrested the 52-year-old hack.
Petty Larceny: Rack up another bike swipe
While the victim was shopping for groceries, others were checking “steal $350 black Diamondback bike” off of their weekend to-do list. At least the victim did everything he could to prevent the theft — including walking into the 10th Precinct to report the crime, which took place somewhere between 3pm and 3:15pm (while he was shopping at Whole Foods, his bike was locked to a nearby bike rack, at 250 7th Ave.). Upon exiting the store, he discovered that the lock was cut and the bike was gone.
Petty Larceny: Phone left to fend for itself
Quick thinking came a bit too late for the victim whose $500 iPhone was stolen from a table at Electric Room (355 W. 16th St.). While enjoying a bit of early morning Chelsea nightlife, the forgetful Floridian left her phone on a table (and out of her sight) for 30 minutes. Upon returning to the table at around 3am on Fri., April 19, a sudden (albeit too-late) bout of competence inspired her to speak directly to the manager, ask if video footage was available, contact her carrier to cancel service and attempt to locate the phone’s whereabouts (a noble effort that failed, due to the fact that the phone had been powered off, presumably by its new “owner”).
Grand Larceny: Outdoor seating scam back on the streets
With warmer weather comes the return of a classic theft technique that relies on your carelessness while dining al fresco. That heads up comes too late for the customer who was sitting outside of Le Pain Quotidien (52 9th Ave.) at around 4:30pm on Fri., April 19. The woman had placed her pocketbook and jacket on her chair. Back turned, a man sat right behind her, and seemingly bumped into the chair by accident. A short time later, the victim discovered her bag was on the ground, and her wallet was gone (along with $40 cash, a monthly MTA pass, her driver’s license and a credit card which was cancelled before it could be used).
—Scott Stiffler
