Reminder:  Save $$ on your theft insurance and deter car thieves by taking advantage of the VIN Etch (Vehicle Identification Number) that Comet will be co-sponsoring with the 104th and 110th Precincts at Maspeth Federal's parking lot on 69th Street/Grand Avenue on Saturday, April 30th between 1:00 and 5:00 pm. 

You can also arrange for a free home security survey by the NYPD.  They will give you low-cost tips that could deter a burglar. 

The VIN Etch will be cancelled if it rains.  It doesn't matter where you live to take advantage of this program.   Maspeth Federal will have a big shredding truck in case you have important documents you wish to dispose of.   Council Member Elizabeth Crowley has arranged to have an E-truck on hand to collect electronics such as computers, monitors, cell phones, etc.

PO Youssef returned from vacation and I was able to get the crime stats for the 108th Precinct  Winfield/Woodside area that is adjacent to Maspeth and Elmhurst.   The two reported burglaries sparked my attention.  Rather than just taking jewelry, cash and small items that can easily be hidden in a backpack or pocket, the burglar(s) also removed large items from the residences.  Since most of us live near a precinct border you need to know what is going on a few blocks from your home.

• Items were removed from a residence on 51st Avenue/65th Place.  
• The second residence's basement apartment, located on 48th Avenue/65th Street, was burglarized and items were stolen.

I assume that the perpetrator(s) had a vehicle since he/they would look suspicious carrying large items down the street.  Although these burglaries happened in close proximity to one another, if a vehicle is involved this crook(s) could easily move to other nearby locations in Maspeth and/or Elmhurst.    If you see any person or persons removing large items or other property from a residence and it's not the homeowner, call 911.  If you see a stranger lurking near a driveway, etc. call 911.  Let the police question the individual.  You can't get into trouble if you're mistaken but you may help lower our crime stats and save someone from becoming a victim if you're right.  Most importantly, if you return home and see evidence of a break-in, do not enter and call 911. A burglar could be dangerous when confronted. Please pass this on to your neighbors and friends in the area.  Thanks.   By the way, PO Youssef said the overall crime numbers for the last 28 days in our area are 6 cimes this year compared to 9 crimes last year - a reduction of 33% year-to-date.

A Comet member reports that on Monday, 4/13, her neighbor awoke to find his 2011 Escalade perched on top of four boxes and all four wheels had been removed.  The vehicle was parked on 53rd Avenue at 66th Street.  The neighbor has replaced the tires on the Escalade and had wheel locks installed.  Hopefully this incident was reported to the 104th Precinct.  

Hi Everyone,   Last month I sent a notification to folks alerting them about an individual wanted in a series of burglaries in south west Elmhurst in the 110th Precinct near the Woodside border.  Surprisingly, folks from Maspeth responded said they saw someone matching his description.  One sighting was on 57th Avenue near PS 58, the others were in west Maspeth.  Everyone who called asked if this individual had a beard but the 110th Precinct said surveillance tape of the person was too grainy to see it.  

Update:  DI Napolitano of the 110th Precinct contacted me to say it's now believed this individual DOES have a beard.   In case you weren't notified previously or forgot the description, it's as follows:  male black, approx 6' - 6'2, thin about 190 lbs.  He was last seen wearing a black North Face jacket with work boots.  He was walking with a shopping cart.  If this man did burglaries in Elmhurst he certainly won't have a problem doing them elsewhere.    If you see someone matching this description, CALL 911.  Tell the operator that you see a male matching the description of a burglar wanted for multiple burglaries in the 110th Precinct.  The responding precinct will then refer the case to the 110th Precinct Squad to determine whether or not this is the suspect they are looking for.  Pass this on to others in the neighborhood and let's work to get this perpetrator off the street before there's more victims!

Elmhurst Restaurant Week, sponsored by Council Member Danny Dromm.