I heard from a west Maspeth resident and a northern Maspeth resident.   Here's what they say.  Everyone has to keep their eyes/ears open because these incidents haven't stopped.  These characters move around and no block is safe.  If you see anything suspicious call 911.  If you are a victim please take the time to report it.  Pass this on to others in our area. _______________________

West Maspeth   

Hey Roe,    fyi, Last night sometime they broke into a 2009 Ford Explorer across the street from me, ( 57 Road & 58 Street)  The owner is waiting for the police now..  He also has cameras , will be looking at the film.   Just found out they broke 2 more windows on cars down the block on 58 street, The one owner said they did not take anything , all the windows were cars parked on the right side, drivers side windows... Police came.
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northern Maspeth/vicinity of Mazeau Street/Grand Avenue  

Hello Roe,
I just wanted to let you know, that my neighbor next door had his window cut out of his rag top convertable recently.  He didn't call the police because nothing was stolen.  I had told him he should've at least reported it but he has been ill and didn't call the police.  I am thinking somebody either stole his window or was trying to see if anything of value was inside.  I told him the next time something like that happens, to report it.  I just wanted to let you know for your record. 

Dick from Winfield reports:   Rear tires and rims stolen from Honda Accord (late model) sometime last night or early this morning (8/31/11).  Car was parked on 72 St. just south of 51 Ave.  The owner, who was visiting with my neighbor, has been in in Florida.  The owner must file a report when he gets back.
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Richie from Elmhurst heard from his friend in Maspeth:   Wanted to tell you that again, this morning, an SUV parked on the corner of 59th Dr and Fresh Pond Rd was broken into last night (or early this morning)- not sure when.  The driver side window was smashed and glass all over the street.  I don't think the owner of the truck was aware yet because we saw it at 6:30am.  I don't know who the truck belongs to either or I would have rang their doorbell to notify them. I think the 104 needs to set up a patrol night watch into the early morning hours when these break-ins occur and then these creeps will be caught, and word will get around so nobody else tries to do the same nonsense. It happens on the same exact streets all the time... there is no excuse why we can't have our area patrolled. These are getting to be out of control now and I'm seriously fed up.

The 104th sent this over to me.  The arrests occurred on the MV/Maspeth border.  No telling how far and wide these creeps were hitting but hopefully this will help cut down on the break ins.   They were caught with GPS's and were traveling on foot.  Pleae pass this on to anyone you think might be interested.
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Early this morning at about 3:02 am the 104 Precinct responded to the corner of Eliot Avenue and 70 Street in regards to individuals breaking into vehicles. Upon arrival the responding Officers arrested three individuals: Patrick Jasienowski 18, Middle Village, Nicholas Dangelo 19, Middle Village and a 15 year old Juvenile who resides in the confines of the 112 Pct.
 
All of the perpetrators were charged with 4 counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, 3 counts of criminal possession of stolen property and three counts of petit larceny.
 
The arresting Officer is PO Joseph Verderber

Things are not looking good with the car break ins in.  Apparently the thieves are breaking into vehicles even if no property is visible.  They are breaking in, checking the glove box, etc.  Please remove tools, GPS's and anything of value in case your vehicle is targeted.  We are not the only area being targeted in this end of Queens.

• I heard from a Comet member who lives on 57th Avenue off Mazeau Street.  She was up until 5:30 am moving items from her house to her car and didn't see or hear anything.  Apparently, at some time during the night/morning, someone took a crow bar pried open a car  parked in front of her house, removed the radio/CD player and popped open the trunk and took an item from there as well.  For some reason they also stole the car registration.  This must have occurred when she went into her house to get something or after 5:30 am when she went to sleep.  The Comet member also said that a neighbor was trying to park on Caldwell Avenue and there was glass on both sides of the street - possibly more car break ins.
• I spoke with the 108th Precinct this afternoon and they are also getting hit with car break ins.
• DI Napolitano at the 110th looked at the most current map of the Elmhurst portion of Comet and said reports for car break ins came from Ankener Avenue, Calamus Avenue and Hillyer Street.

Look folks, you might not want to make a report to your insurance company because there's a $500 deductable.  That's fine.  But you really need to make a police report so our precincts know what areas are being hit.  I suspect there's a lot more break ins that are not being reported.  You should call 911 and tell the operator you need to have a report taken.  Since taking a report for a past crime isn't a priority, you may have to wait quite a while before a police car shows up.  If you have a busy schedule and can't wait around, call 911 once you are home for the evening.    But please, file a report.
 
I am reaching out to the Crime Prevention Officers in our precincts to come up with ideas to help safeguard your property.  Stay tuned.  Please pass this along.

I know everyone is probably tired of hearing about car break ins.  But they are continuing to happen dispite every effort to discourage folks from leaving GPS's, loose change, etc. in their cars.  Some people remove their GPS but leave the suction cups or marks from the suction cups on the windshield alerting the crook(s) that there's likely a GPS in the glove compartment.
 
The latest incidents occurred over the weekend in the vicinity of 56th Road/60th Street - not far from 59th Drive where the last break ins occurred.  One source claims more than 20 cars were broken into this past weekend.  The 104th said that at the time I called about 9 reports were filed.  (It's possible that some people didn't take the time to make the report.)  If you, or someone you know was a victim, you can still make a report.  At this point the number of vehicles broken into isn't this issue - the issue is that crooks are wondering around our area and no one sees anything suspicious!
 
This is not just a Maspeth problem.  The 104th states that these incidents have occurred pretty much throughout the precinct - including Glendale and Ridgewood.  These crooks will move around throughout the area.  As they near our precinct borders we soon may find victims in Elmhurst and Winfield too.  This must be a lucrative business because they keep coming back. 
 
It's likely that these crimes are occurring during early morning hours.  If you should happen to get up to go to the bathroom, take a moment to look out your window.  If you see something suspicious, get a description/direction the individuals are headed and call 911.  Tell the operator we've had a rash of car break ins and explain why these people look suspicious.  Don't be concerned if you're right or wrong - let the police sort it out.  You can't get into trouble if you're mistaken.
 
If anyone has any information about these break ins please contact the 104th.  If you prefer, pass the info on to me and I'll give it in anonymously.  We need to get these people off the street.  Please pass this on to friends/family!