_Someone wrote to Comet's blog in response to our Community Alert about attempted larcenies from autos.  He said they broke into a neighbor's vehicle on 54th Avenue/63rd Street at 9:40 pm. The perps were caught on video but they had hoodies on and you couldn't see their faces.  He didn't give a date or how many perps but I assume the incident occurred over the past day or so and they match the description on our website.  Captain Cody, 104th Precinct is checking to see if it was reported. Please stay alert and call 911 if you see anything suspicious!   Our first Comet meeting of the year will be held on Monday, 2/6, 7:00 pm, Bethzatha Church at 85-20 57th Avenue - directions to meeting are on our website.  Don't forget - we're collecting $10 dues for 2012!  Here's our agenda:   News/updates from electeds or their reps:

• As a followup to our 12/5 meeting we are particularly interested to hear what TLC/DOT is doing to address our problem with commuter vans making illegal pickups in our area and a business parking livery vehicles throughout Winfield Industrial Park around St. Mary's.
• Update about Port Authority's hearing concerning Cross Harbor Freight Program Tier 1 Environmental Impact Study.  If this goes forward in west Maspeth it will have a BIG effect on ALL of us.
• Do we know why DOT has traffic counters on 69th Street @ 53rd and on Grand @ 69th Place for westbound traffic?
• Any word about acquiring land for park in west Maspeth?

NYPD:

• Introduce new Commanding Officer at 110th Precinct, DI Ron Leyson - if he's able to attend
• 104th/108th/110th will give our crime stats for the Comet area
• Larcenies from autos - how prevalent is it in our area?  Are rims/tires still being stolen in our area?
• 108th activity to address the liveries and summonsing of overnight commercial vehicles and school buses in Winfield especially 51st Avenue.
• 110th activity to deal with tour buses/commercial vehicles on 57th Avenue bet. 80th and 85th Street as well as along 51st Avenue.
• 104th/108th/110th truck enforcement in our area

_Incident:  Attempted larceny from autos Date:  Wednesday, 1/25 Time:  3:00 a.m. Location:  70th Street, Maspeth Description: Two male Asians, young, dark clothing, hoodies, pants w/stripe down the side, both carrying backpacks.   At approximately 3:00 a.m. a 70th Street resident spotted two male Asians walking up 70th Street, they turned onto 53rd Avenue towards 74th Street.  One was on each side of the street and they were trying to see if vehicles were unlocked. The 104th responded at about 3:15 a.m.  Captain Cody is looking to see if the youths were stopped.  I'll keep everyone advised if I hear more.   If you wake up during the night, please take a minute to look out your window like this resident did and call 911.  Don't leave anything in your vehicle and make sure it's secured!  If you were victimized it's important you file a report so our precincts know where the crime is happening.  If you know anyone living in northern Maspeth, Winfield/Woodside, south Elmhurst area, please pass this on to them since it close to the border of the 108th/110th Precincts.  

_ Friday morning 12/30/11 at approximately 0340, we received a call for Police Impersonation at the corner of Flushing Avenue and 64 Street. Apparently the defendant who was arrested Francis, Nick, J of 65-15 Grand Avenue Maspeth, NY was riding around in his personal vehicle and stopped a victim and claimed to be a Police Officer and removed the victim's jacket and fled in his vehicle which had flashing strobe lights. After a canvass of the area the defendant was arrested by Police Officer Sean McCarren with the assistance of his partner PO Jason Bianchini. The Officers also recovered a bulletproof vest and a holster for a firearm in the vehicle.    Have a Happy & Safe New Year!!!!   PO Thomas Bell 104 Precinct Community Affairs

_Hi Everyone,   The following is a message from Captain Cody, 104th Precinct.  Please pass this along to your friends and neighbors!!  If it happened here - it could happen anywhere!  These con men move around to avoid getting caught! ______________  

Good Morning: Yesterday on Maspeth Avenue at about 4:20 PM an individual posing as a Water Department inspector approached a residence and got confidence of homeowner to gain entry by asking to check water meter

He got homeowner to lead him to basement while there others entered residence and removed property then fled location

Description:
Male white-wearing orange work vest reflective hat and Radio

Please pass the word and if Anything suspicious is observed contact 911

All the best
MC
Captain Michael Cody
Commanding Officer
104th Precinct

_Hi Everyone,   Thought you'd be interested in the results of the overnight commercial parking initiative that was conducted by Captain John Travaglia, Executive Officer of the 104th last night to address community complaints (see below).  I'm not sure whether or not some of the 60 summonses issued included locations that a few of you sent to me.  If you didn't see a summons on a vehicle at a specific location, let me know and I'll follow up to see why one wasn't issued or why a summons couldn't be issued.  The 104th Precinct did a fabulous job for one night's work!!

______ 

Here is  a recap of our operation.  I hope the message is out!

• 55th Road between Maurice & 60th Street - 8 summonses issued at location
• Rust Street between Grand Ave & Flushing Ave -  5 summonses issued
• 57th Avenue between Grand and 110th border - 3 summonses issued
• Westbound s/r of LIE at Mazeau St at exit ramp (sporadic condition)- 2 summonses issued
• Maurice and 51 Ave  - 3 trucks towed
• 74st and 57 ave-  1 Truck towed (5 axle 18wheeler that is always there)
• 49-29 Maspeth Ave  1 Truck towed
• Approximately 60 summonses issued in sectors HJG for commercial parking.

John Travaglia (Capt T)

_Hi Everyone,   Looks like we're not the only ones doing holiday shopping!  We had two burglaries in the west Maspeth area.  If they happened there, they can happen anywhere!

• An attached home, 58 numbers on 58th Drive, off Flushing Avenue and 59th Street was broken into last week.  It is believed the burglary occurred between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm through the front  I don't have specifics as to what was taken.
• A detached house, 59 numbers on Grand Avenue was burglarized yesterday through the rear.  A neighbor states she heard glass break at about 8:30 am.  Laptops and money was stolen.  Everyone in the house leaves for work.

Most residential burglaries occur during the day when people are at work. There's a good chance the perpetrator(s) were watching these families' routines.

• Whenever possible, but try not to follow the same routine.
• When you leave your home, look around to see if someone is loitering around on the corner or sitting in a vehicle.  Try to make a note of the make/model of the vehicle and license plate number and get a description of the individual.
• If you have to get to work and have a neighbor's phone number, give them a call, pass the information to them and ask them to keep a lookout and call 911, if necessary.
• Many burglars travel on foot and steal small items such as jewelry, cash, etc.  Some burglars may be wearing a backpack to put the items in or may be wearing a coat with big pockets.
• Sometimes a burglar will ring the bell of a targeted house to be sure no one is home.  If someone answers the door they ask for a fictitious person, etc.  If that happens to you, discretely look out your window and watch them.  If a neighbor doesn't answer their bell, the perpetrator might walk to the rear of the house.  If that happens, call 911.  You can do it anonymously, but keep in mind you won't get into trouble if you're mistaken.  It's always best to leave a callback number.
• If you hear glass breaking (like what happened with the burglary above), or an unfamilar noise coming from a neighbor's house, DO NOT go out to investigate.  Call 911.
• Captain Cody, 104th Precinct, suggests if you purchase expensive items and are throwing the box out, fold it inside out so a burglar won't know what you bought.
• If something doesn't appear to be right - it probably isn't.  If someone stands out as suspicious but gives you no immediate reason to call 911, you can forward the info to me (date, time, location, description, etc.) and I'll pass it along to our precincts.  They will have officers be on the lookout in the area.
• Remember, it's neighbor looking out for neighbor.  That's what we're about!

_
Locations - vicinity of PS102:

• 52nd Avenue/83rd Street
• 55th Avenue/Haspel Street

Description:

• Possibly a male Indian, 30-40 years old, approx. 6' tall, heavy set, slight mustache, black curly hair.
• Driving a white older model 4-door sedan with Connecticut plates.  There's an orange flag on the driver's side door.  It could be an Indian flag.

Incidents:

• On 11/14, 8:00 a.m., 52nd Ave/83rd St, the male pulled a 12-year old Asian female into his car and touched her breast.  She was able to escape.  Incident was reported on 11/28.
• On 11/25, 4:00 p.m. the same Asian female was walking with her friend on Haspel/55th Ave.  Male got out of his car with a piece of paper asking for directions to Queens Center Mall.  The original victim ran and the male grabbed the breast of her friend.

ALL precincts have been notified.  This man is considered dangerous and under no circumstances should you approach him.  If you see someone or a car matching this description call 911 immediately.  Try to provide a license plate # or other description of the individual or vehicle and what direction it was headed.  If you have any information that may be helpful call the 110th Precinct Community Affairs (PO Richie Garland, PO Janine Rivera) at 718-476-9310 or the 110th Squad.  This man can be anywhere so keep a lookout, particularly near schools!  Please pass this on!