PETIT LARCENY: Gallery gabber grabber | While many would assume a theft at a Chelsea gallery might involve the high-stakes heist of a priceless masterpiece, one crook aimed for the more mundane on Thurs., Nov. 10. That’s when a 42-year-old Brooklyn man was working at the Jim Kemper Fine Art gallery (501 W. 23rd St., at 10th Ave.), moving art from the basement storage area to the upper floors. At around 5pm, the man went upstairs to put a work on display, and left his iPhone 5c charging in the basement. When he returned about 15 minutes later, his phone (valued by the victim at $431) was gone. After looking at surveillance video of the incident, it was discovered that an unknown individual had entered the room, taken the phone, and left.
IDENTITY THEFT: Business time | While most identity thieves are content to simply spend on their victim’s dime, one man recently discovered that some have a slightly more entrepreneurial spirit. On Wed., Nov. 2, the 53-year-old W. 43rd St. resident received notice in the mail that an account was opened up in his name, using his address and social security number. Further complicating matters, the account, it seems, was a business account — a fake clothing store brandishing the scammed man’s moniker in the name of the establishment. Inspection reveals that the account was opened with a California-based company called iPayment. The man quickly cancelled the account, and no charges have been made to him at the time of the account’s closure — though it is uncertain whom (or what) enacted the fraud. It’s the latest in a recent uptick in online identity theft reported to the 10th Precinct.
THEFT OF SERVICES: Drive and dash | While cab drivers getting stiffed for their services is no new occurrence, on Thurs., Nov. 17, one woman took things a step further by not even waiting for her ride to be over before making her getaway. As the driver in question — an 82-year-old Queens man — approached the 12th Ave. destination (near W. 41st St.) of his female fare at about 7:40pm, the woman decided to tell the man that she would refuse to pay her bill. Continuing to drive, he calmly replied they “can go to the police,” if that was indeed the situation. This option clearly did not sit well with the passenger, and when the driver pulled up to a red light, the woman simply jumped out of the car and ran away, successfully avoiding paying her $25 fare.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: Upchuck express | In another incident that proves that cabbies really just can’t catch a break in this city, on Fri., Nov. 11, a 26-year-old Brooklyn driver had his back rear door damaged (with a $50 price tag for repairs) by an inconsiderate fare. The driver picked up the man in Brooklyn, and they arrived at his destination on the 400 block of W. 31st St. at around 1am. At this point, according to the police report, the man somehow “intentionally damage[d]” the car’s door by means of vomiting on it, causing a stain. While the passenger did pay his fare, he skedaddled before compensating the driver for any damages. Video evidence of the incident was not available.
CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA: Two toking on 200 | On the afternoon of Thurs., Nov. 17, two bold, unsubtle stoners were caught lighting up in broad daylight. At about 2pm, an officer observed a man smoking a lit marijuana cigarette in plain public view on the sidewalk of the 200 block of W. 28th St. Upon further inspection, he was found to have “three marijuana buds” stashed in his backpack as well. The 24-year-old was arrested. Five minutes later, and a few paces away (near Seventh Ave.), a 19-year-old woman was observed doing the exact same thing. When she was approached, she did admit to the officer that she was smoking weed — but that didn’t stop the officer from searching her and finding a grinder with marijuana residue in it. She too, was arrested.
—SEAN EGAN
THE 10th PRECINCT: Located at 230 W. 20th St. (btw. Seventh & Eighth Aves.). Commander: Capt. Paul Lanot. Main number: 212-741-8211. Community Affairs: 212-741-8226. Crime Prevention: 212-741-8226. Domestic Violence: 212-741-8216. Youth Officer: 212-741-8211. Auxiliary Coordinator: 212-924-3377. Detective Squad: 212-741-8245. The Community Council meets on the last Wed. of the month, 7pm, at the 10th Precinct or other locations to be announced.
THE 13th PRECINCT: Located at 230 E. 21st St. (btw. Second & Third Aves.). Deputy Inspector: Brendan Timoney. Call 212-477-7411. Community Affairs: 212-477-7427. Crime Prevention: 212-477-7427. Domestic Violence: 212-477-3863. Youth Officer: 212-477-7411. Auxiliary Coordinator: 212-477-4380. Detective Squad: 212-477-7444. The Community Council meets on the third Tues. of the month, 6:30pm, at the 13th Precinct.
CASH FOR GUNS | $100 cash will be given (no questions asked) for each handgun, assault weapon or sawed-off shotgun, up to a maximum payment of $300. Guns are accepted at any Police Precinct, PSA or Transit District.
