ROBBERY: Pushed for purse | The search for a man who snatched a purse from an elderly woman has left the NYPD looking for community assistance. At around 5am on Thurs., Sept. 1, in front of 8 W. 28th St. (btw. Fifth Ave. & Broadway), the man approached the 72-year-old woman from behind. He grabbed her purse, causing her to fall to the ground, then fled eastbound on W. 28th St. with the purse (which contained $100 cash and a cellphone). The woman sustained injuries to her knees and face, but refused medical treatment. The man was caught on surveillance video. Police ask anyone with information to reach out to the Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-577-TIPS or nypdcrimestoppers.com.
MENACING: Crazy taxi | In a scene straight out of “Grand Theft Auto,” at about 7pm on Sun., Sept. 4, an unknown male got into the car of a 49-year-old Brooklyn man, brandishing a handgun, and demanding that he drive the car to the Dream Hotel at 210 W. 55th St. (at the moment, the car was outside of 282 11th Ave., btw. W. 28th & W. 29th Sts.). The shocked driver must not have complied fast enough, because the man then got out of the car and went with Plan B: He hopped into a yellow cab and fled southbound of 11th Ave. There was video evidence at the scene of the crime and the victim was able to produce a possible name and phone number for the perp. The next day, two men (one 22-years-old and one 23), were arrested in connection to the incident.
PETIT LARCENY: Suede shoe blues | Apparently, his shoes were made for walking, and it seems as though that’s just what they did — specifically, on the day of Mon., Aug. 29, when, at about 2pm, a man left two pairs of shoes outside his apartment door, in the hallway/common area of his apartment building (on the 200 block of W. 22nd St.). When he returned, the shoes were missing. According to the police report, the man suspects a perp (or perps) took his $60 Sperry Top-Sider boat shoes and $53 Hush Puppy loafers (size, unknown). No arrests have been made at this time, and the police report could not confirm or deny whether or not the elven cobblers’ crime syndicate was being investigated in connection with the theft.
PETIT LARCENY: Dangerous safe | At about 10am on Fri., Sept. 2, a 72-year-old woman visiting New York from Australia gave the hotel manager $350 (US!) to put in the hotel safe at Hotel 309 (309 W. 14th St., btw. Eighth & Ninth Aves.). As reported to police on Mon., Sept. 5, when she went to the manager later to retrieve her funds, he denied ever having the money, and refused to return it to her. While the man was resolute in playing dumb, good ol’ blind justice seems as though it will do it’s thing, as there is possibly incriminating video evidence available, and authorities have the manager’s information and will be looking into the situation.
CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA: Too late to apologize | As one slow stoner realized this weekend, there are certain activities where one should not necessarily go outside to enjoy the weather. On Fri., Sept. 2, an officer observed a 25-year-old man smoking what they referred to as a “lit marijuana cigar” in plain view in a public place, outside of his apartment building on the 400 block of W. 17th St. The officer was able to recover the reefer after instructing the man to place in on the ground. “I apologize sir; I knew I should have smoked inside my apartment,” he said, apparently not realizing the weed would also be illegal in an indoors setting. “I feel dumb.” This apology was resolutely not accepted however, as the officers arrested the man.
—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. They are on hiatus until Sept. 28.
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. They are on hiatus until Sept. 20.
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.
