We heard from a reader about a string of burglaries at the Park West Village complex, which sits between 97th and 100th street off of Columbus Avenue.
The reader said that residents believe the burglaries are “an inside job” and have only happened to people who have not installed second deadbolts on their apartment doors. Building maintenance told the reader that there had not been a burglary at the complex in nine years.
“What is happening is over the weekends, only to people who are out of town for the weekend, someone is coming and taking the entire doorknob off of the door and helping themselves to whatever they choose, TVs, computers etc.”
Captain Marlon Larin of the 24th precinct says that there are three confirmed burglaries:
“So far we have three recorded incidents as follows:
- 6/23/14 at 1:00pm 788 Columbus Avenue (bottom lock damaged; Laptop, cash, clothing taken)
- 7/7/14 at 11:00am 792 Columbus Avenue (bottom lock damaged; jewelry taken)
- 7/14/14 at 1:00pm 792 Columbus Avenue (bottom lock removed; Laptop, cell phone, tablet taken)
Aside from bottom locks being damaged, the common thread is that they are occurring on Mondays between 11am to 1pm. They are being actively investigated as a pattern by the detectives. Finally, our resident Crime Prevention Officer has conducted an immediate site security survey at each unit. Albeit it may appear difficult to protect oneself from this type of crime, due to the possible usage of power tools, my admonishment to the residents is to not unnecessarily advertise any scheduled vacations to anyone other than trusted relatives or friends. Another way to ensure that there are no telltale signs of long periods of absence is to arrange for the Post Office to hold onto one’s mail.”
The police did not wish to comment on whether they expect the burglaries are an “inside job” as the investigation is ongoing.
Image via Google Streetview.
I have to wonder if these break-ins are a result of what I understand is a long-running standoff between rent-controlled tenants and management which is allegedly interested in turning apartments into market rate and turning them over frequently. It would be interesting to see if the break-ins are happening to a particular class of renter.
Sally , yes of course its the evil landlord/ developers.
who else could it possibly be.
On the UWS there is no greater evil then them.
Umm come on….
Please take off the tin foil hat.
OT: Sounds like something that was happening on 98th st btw broadway and columbus a few months back of a handyman going into apartments and taking meds as well as other items
This is a job for Deep Throat! Lest we forget Woodward and Bernstein.
Do they get to use the gym?