Hi All,

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up that there have been a small number of seemingly related push-in muggings in the neighborhood recently (mostly late last week and into this past weekend). A girl that lives in my building (713 Classon) was forced inside and robbed at about 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, 1/3. Her friend/possibly roommate, who also lives in the building told me that she wasn't physically assaulted in any way after the initial push into the building. Apparently the police told them that it was the not the first incident in the past few days. I don't know if a weapon of any kind was involved.

I know you all know this, but it's just a reminder to always keep your wits about you and be aware of you surroundings.

Peace in the Middle East,
TIL

Anyone know why a patrol car blocks Maple St at Bedford Ave? The last time I was over that way was on Halloween when a squad car was there as well but I thought it was because some display or something was occuring on the block bordered also by Rogers Ave. Drove by today and saw a patrol car there and as I started to ask the officer sitting in the car with his window open why, his cellphone rang and the light changed and traffic blew on me so I had to go.Really curious though.

I remember reading a while back about a clever con-man giving Oscar-worthy performances in the 'hood. I'm pretty sure he struck again last night, with me being the audience.

He approached me on Classon Ave between St. Marks and Bergen by asking if I knew of any towing services in the area. I apologized and said that I did not, and he launched into this amazing story of how his mother had a stroke whilst driving just a couple blocks away, and hit some pedestrians on the sidewalk. At this point, he began crying because she was taken to a hospital downtown, is in a coma, and his health insurance doesn't cover her. He added really clever, subtle details like how he's some sort of engineer, how he has a wife and daughters, how the cops were hurling racial slurs at him after the accident, how the news crews were filming the accident right now, etc. He really painted a picture for me. He even told me he lives in 713 Classon (Jewish Hospital, Classon side), apartment 202. That took some balls. I live in that building, so I'm tempted to go give 202 a knock just for shits and giggles.

So, eventually he told me he was $12 short for the tow truck, and asked if I could spare that much. I'm well aware of the "seemingly random number trick" when asking for money, and I also remembered back to the beginning of his story when he asked me if I knew of a towing service. Why would he need $12 to pay the remainder of a towing bill if he hadn't even found a towing service yet?

So, keep your ear to the ground. This guy is about 6' or so, maybe a few inches taller. He's thin/black/seemingly well put together/wearing white sneakers, a beige jacket, and had a backpack on. Does that sound like the guy who was hitting people up a few months ago?

Sorry for the long-ass post.

P.S. If anyone on here actually DOES live at 713 Classon, Apt 202, and you don't mind hundreds of strangers knowing where you live, speak up. I'd be interested to know for sure that this guy was full of shit.

Hi everyone. New to the boards--been lurking since I moved here last year.

I returned home from visiting family over Christmas to find glass all over my floor and bed from a rock that had been thrown through my window. Anyone else experience similar vandalism lately, or am I the lucky one?

I called the police to report it and am now waiting (im)patiently.

Just glad I wasn't home in bed when it happened.

The past couple of times that I have passed by T.O.N. during normal business hours, the place was shuttered up. Anyone know what's going on? Is the place closed for good?