Hi All,

Captain Manson, 104th Precinct, is back from vacation and gave us an update for the past couple of weeks. These crimes happened in Maspeth/Woodside, but they can happen anywhere. Be alert!!

Burglaries
• Sometime between 4/12-4/14: 65 #'s on Hull Avenue. Water meter and copper pipes stolen from house.
• 4/16 - 51 #'s on 70th Street. Burglary occurred sometime between 6:30 am and 7:30 pm. Entry was made through basement window. Jewelry stolen.
• 4/27-4/28 - McDonald's, burglary occurred between hours of 11:00 pm and 6:00 am. Cash register with $3,000 cash stolen.
• Today, 4/29 - 54 #'s on 63rd Place. Victim states a perpetrator tried to break into his home through a window between 2:00 am and 2:20 am. Window was damaged and lock was broken.
Grand Larcenies
• 4/17 - Female Asian, 78 years old, carrying luggage, was at store at 55-07 69th Street at approximately 1:30 pm. She put down her luggage and when she wasn't looking a male took the luggage and went around the corner. He was seen on video. The luggage was recovered but her wallet containing $100 cash and credit cards were gone.
• 4/28, 2:30 pm - Male left his truck running outside of 73-60 Grand Avenue. When he returned someone had entered vehicle and removed an iPhone, iPad, credit cards and driver's license.
Please DO NOT leave your possessions unattended. If you think someone might be breaking into your home during the night when you're home, call 911 and let the police investigate. Don't take a chance - you could get hurt. 

Roe Daraio, President
Comet Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com

Hi All,

I received a couple of emails/calls about a helicopter flying over the Maspeth, Elmhurst, Middle Village area earlier this afternoon. I spoke with PO David Saponieri, 110th Precinct Community Affairs, and he states they're looking for a missing female:

Sikha Mukhia, 26 years old, 5'2",120 lbs, long black hair, possibly wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, black pants, white leather sandals. Last seen on Manilla Street.

If you see her, call 911 immediately.

Thanks,

Roe Daraio, President
Comet Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com

Deception Burglary- a burglary committed by a person(s) gaining entry into a home by falsely presenting him/herself as an employee of a particular company. These impersonators use false covers such as; utility companies, delivery companies, and companies such as plumbing or electrical contractors. A common ploy being used is; "A pipe broke down the block and we have to check the water." Once inside, the perpetrator(s) manipulate and distract a victim while pocketing their valuables.

• Do not become a victim, do not allow strangers into your home
• Verify alleged water company conditions by calling 311 for connection to the Department of Environmental Protection
• To verify gas and electric issues, call Con Edison at 1-800-752-6633
• Do not hesitate to call 911 

These criminals often target elderly victims, and operate during normal business hours (9am-5pm), making them less likely to question the situation.   

The Crime Prevention Section would like to share the following information to help you avoid becoming a victim of a deception burglary:  If an unsolicited person(s) comes to your door offering work inside your home:

• • o    Do not open the door
  • o    Stay inside your home
  • o    Verify his/her I.D. through the view finder (peephole)
  • o    Contact the company to verify employee's legitimacy (company numbers may be looked up via internet or on your bill)
  • o    Keep a list of utility companies phone numbers in a convenient location
  • o    Do not invite anyone into your home while you verify a "work order."
  • o    If you can not verify the I.D., feel unsafe, or suspect criminal activity, call 911 immediately

*REMEMBER*

NEVER give out any financial information, particularly ... 

• Social Security Number
• Credit card information
• Bank account information

Keeping You Informed!
 
The Community Affairs Bureau would like to remind you of an additional method for members of the community to receive informative emails.  By texting NYPD to 22828, individuals will receive a message to reply back with their email address.  Upon doing so, their information will be submitted, and they will immediately receive emails from the Community Affairs Bureau regarding events, personal safety tips and local news.  

For community members who are unable to utilize the texting function, they may also visit www.nypdcommunityaffairs.org, and submit their email address via the form at the bottom of the page.  

Deception Burglary!!!!!!

On Friday, April 25, 2014 at about 4:00 pm in the afternoon an elderly male was the victim of a deception burglary where the perpetrators led the homeowner to believe he had some roofing work done by them in the past. Two of the perpetrators distracted the homeowner while at least one other entered the home and removed US currency from the basement.

These same individuals attempted to pull the same scam on another homeowner a few doors away and that homeowner did not allow the individuals inside his home.

This is what the NYPD is asking you to do. DO NOT LET ANYONE YOU HAVE NOT CALLED PREVIOUSLY INTO YOUR HOME!!!!! If someone comes to your home and you did not call them, do not open the door and notify the NYPD immediately. The 104 Precinct attempts to relay this message to all of our residents and businesses, but we need your help to also let you neighbor know about these scams.

If you know of anyone who wishes to be on our notification list please give them my e-mail address or have them contact me.

This crime is being investigated by the 104 Precinct Detective Squad, anyone with information regarding this incident please contact them at (718) 386-3004.

Information on the perpetrators. The perpetrators have been described as two male whites and possibly one male Hispanic.


Steps for Protecting Your Android Phone

1- Use your Google "Gmail" account to activate a security feature on your Android cellphone.

 Register your Android by going tohttps://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin. 

• If your Android is lost or stolen this service will allow you to log onto your Google "gmail" account from any device that has internet access,  you can then direct your Android to do the following:
  • Wipe the device clean of all sensitive data.
  • Send a text message to the device.
  • Have the phone ring, which may assist in locating the phone.

 2- Download and activate one of the free "Find My Phone" applications. These free security applications are located under the Google Play symbol.                                                        

• Upon accessing the "app" area, type-in "find my phone" into the search box and you be provided with numerous free downloadable security apps.  Select a "find my phone" app and follow the simple steps to setting up this service.
• If your Android is lost or stolen this service will allow you to enable a tracking feature that can assist the police in recovering the phone.

Register with the NYPD "Operation ID" program at your location Police Precinct. Ask for the Precinct, Crime Prevention Officer.

Please share this information with Family, Friends and Neighbors.    

Hi All,

Just heard from our VP, Richie Doyle, who said that the abandoned house at 52-29 84th Street in Elmhurst has been sealed. If you should happen to pass by and see vandals have broken into the house again, call 311. If you suspect someone is inside, call 911. The 110th Precinct has the property owner's contact information which we requested from the Buildings Department and hopefully the property owners will be willing to press charges if an arrest is made.

If anyone is willing to help out at our Earth Day event this Saturday, 4/26 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm in Maspeth Federal's parking lot on 69th/Grand, please let me know. The 104th and 108th Precincts will be VIN Etching the cars, registering bikes/phones. Folks may need help filling out the forms, assistance with the etching, traffic control and passing out literature.

Bring paperwork that needs to be shredded as well as electronics to avoid having them go into a landfill. Find out about voluntary Composting Program coming to Maspeth/Middle Village and other communities in Community Board 5.

Mark your calendar: our Comet meeting will be held on Monday, May 5th, 7:00 pm at NY Bethzatha Church of God, 85-20 57th Avenue. Parking available!!

Last but not least, some folks from our area have been asked on behalf of Governor Cuomo and the Port Authority to participate in the first LGA Airport Community Roundtable meeting on April 28th. We'll keep you updated. In the meantime, please keep reporting the plane noise!!

Please pass along to your friends, family.

Regards,

Roe Daraio, President
Comet Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com

Hi All,

FYI and don't forget our Earth Day event on the same day, April 26th, 1-4 pm, 69th Street/Grand Avenue in Maspeth Federal Parking lot. This is your opportunity to shred important paperwork, recycle any old electronics such as TVs, VCRs, cell phones, computers/monitors, etc. You can also have the 104th VIN Etch your car - you can save money on your theft insurance, have bicycles and cell phones registered. DSNY will be on hand to introduce their new composting program for eligible homeowners.

Roe 

---------- Forwarded message ----------

The Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the Grand Opening of TD Bank’s New Branch on Grand Avenue at  74 Street in Maspeth is scheduled for 11:30am on SATURDAY, APRIL 26th, 2014.  

Also, just CLICK on this link to register to reserve a free tree at TD Bank – Maspeth’s MillionTreesNYC Tree Giveaway:

http://treegiveaways.com/tdqnmaspeth

(The trees are beautiful saplings, starting at 20 feet tall).

Hi All,

Received a call from Carolina Gill at Assembly Member Marge Markey's office to let me know they have been receiving complaints of youth hanging out at the abandoned house at 52-29 84th Street and had followed up with the Department of Buildings. (For those of you not familiar with the location, it's adjacent to the railroad tracks and across the street from St. Adalbert. The story is in our spring newsletter. If you don't get a newsletter, you can view it online.)

Carolina said that she was informed by the Department of Buildings that a court order to seal the building was approved on March 26th. On March 27th, the order was forwarded to Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) who now has to hire a contractor to do the work.

We also heard from Michael Mallon at Council Member Dromm's office to say that he also followed up. I asked him to try and find out how long it will take to hire a contractor. Hopefully it doesn't take several months.

If you drive by the location and see trespassers, please call 911. This is an unsafe building and we don't want anyone to get hurt!! If you have to walk past this location, cross the street - you don't know if any predators are lurking inside!!

Thank you to Assembly Member Markey and Council Member Dromm's staff members for following up on this important issue.

Roe Daraio, President
Comet Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com

Hi All,

See message below from Captain Hennessy, 108th Precinct. This is great news!

As many of you know, the drag racers usually meet up at the McDonald's parking lot off Maurice Avenue in Maspeth. The building is burned but I'm not sure if they still meet there. If you see racers starting to accumulate in the area, please either let me or Det. Thomas Bell at the 104th Precinct know. Be sure to give the day/time you observed them. This will give the precinct an idea of when to patrol the area. If they're causing a dangerous condition, call 911.  Det. Bell's email is: Thomas.bell@nypd.org

If you are in the area of Laurel Hill Boulevard and see drag racing, please call 911 and the 108th will respond.

Don't forget - our Comet meeting is tomorrow, Monday, 4/7 at 7:00 pm at Bethzatha Church of God, 85-20 57th Avenue. Parking available. PO Miszuk, 108th Conditions Team, who is taking care of Winfield is scheduled to attend. If you have any concerns, this is the time to bring them to his attention.

Roe Daraio, President
Comet Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com
______________________________________________________
Roe, early this morning members of the 108 Precinct conducted a drag racing operation on Laurel Hill Boulevard between 48 Street and 58 Street. As a result, 6 individuals were arrested for reckless endangerment, 5 vehicles were seized for forfeiture, and 55 summonses were issued to spectators. FYI 

Hi All,

Best to avoid this area, if possible. Traffic is bad and sometimes there is no flagman to control it. If you observe a problem, please report it to Community Board 2 or 5 or contact Councilmember Crowley's office ASAP. Community Board 2 covers the north side of Calamus Avenue and Community Board 5 covers the south side. Councilmember Crowley covers the entire area.  Any of these offices can assist you. The problem won't be corrected if it isn't reported!!

Community Board 2 - 718-533-8773

Community Board 5 - 718-366-1834

Councilmember Crowley - 718-366-3900

Roe Daraio, President

The following Graffiti vandal was arrested on 4/2/14 and charged separately with 30 acts of vandalism so far in Queens. (7 in the 104 Precinct, 21 in the 114 Precinct and 2 by the City Wide Vandals squad.)

Michael Mestric, age 30 from Woodside, Queens.

The information that led to his arrest came from Council Member Elizabeth Crowley's Office.   

Detective Thomas Bell
104th Precinct Community Affairs
64-02 Catalpa Avenue
Ridgewood, NY, 11385
Phone (718)386-2431
Fax (718)386-2662
Thomas.Bell@nypd.org