Update: Burglars entering the apartment...

sterling2000

Yesterday afternoon there was an attempted burglary in our building on Sterling Place (btwn. Washington & Underhill). The perps entered via an alley fire escape and broken window security gate, only to be surprised by the owner arriving home and opening the door. The perps fled via said window, fire escape and alley path and the authorities were called.

I felt this worth reporting to the group as there have been other alleyway and fire escape enabled shenanigans lately. Play it smart -- keep your windows closed and yer eyes open.

daver

It always scares the crap out of me when I see fire escape accessible windows without bars.

I'm glad the bad guys beat a hasty retreat, and didn't decide to knock his head or something.

ridonkulous

Another thing to keep in mind: If you have an A/C in the window, make sure the top half of the window is locked/bolted down somehow. Even if the space above the A/C seems small, it's big enough for someone to wiggle through.

That's what happened in my apt a few months back, even though the burglar had to jump 4 feet sideways from the fire escape all the way up on the 3rd floor. Very motivated.

silverager

They were probably only climbing in his window because the occupant never made an attempt to get to know the neighborhood regulars.

sterling2000

Right, so I'll amend my advice:

"Play it smart -- keep your windows closed and yer eyes open and say hi to your neighbors."

mr. met

They were probably only climbing in his window because the occupant never made an attempt to get to know the neighborhood regulars.

haha, obviously.

deedee

Sounds like the same perps that just burglarized an apartment in my building on Park Place between Flatbush and Vanderbilt. They came in through the fire escape on the alley side of the building at about 9am on weekday and made off with a computer and I-Pod. Local detectives said that there have been a rash of these kinds of burglaries in the area. They suspect a group of teenage boys. So, make sure all of your windows are secure and keep your eyes open.

sterling2000

Update...

Two police detectives came through the building this evening, going door to door interviewing everyone for info and giving some basic tips on not becoming victims (i.e. locking window gates). Another representative from the precinct stopped by earlier in the day and offered to come back to do a private meeting with our Board and/or entire building on basic anti-crime safety. All the detectives were excedingly courteous, kind, respectful and even kidded around a bit (when I asked for their cards, they answered that they had run out due to making so many of these investigations in the neighborhood lately).

I gotta say, if this level of police attention and outreach doesn't show the value of reporting any and all attempted crime, I don't know what does.

arches

sterling2000 wrote: ...when I asked for their cards, they answered that they had run out due to making so many of these investigations in the neighborhood lately...

We've been relatively quiet on the mugging/assault front lately (knock on wood)...wonder why breaking and entering/robbery is the latest and greatest "crime wave".

alafairnadia

arches wrote: [quote=sterling2000] ...when I asked for their cards, they answered that they had run out due to making so many of these investigations in the neighborhood lately...

We've been relatively quiet on the mugging/assault front lately (knock on wood)...wonder why breaking and entering/robbery is the latest and greatest "crime wave".

I heard from one police officer recently that robberies/b&e type stuff was up in the eastern area of the 77th and shifting west, so ....

iwantmyipodback

Subject: Mugged by two kids

Two kids in black hoodies with back packs were hanging around the front of my building on Park Pl. btwn Classon and Franklin tonight. Followed me inside and grabbed my iPod out of my coat pocket and tried getting my wallet. Eventually they gave up and ran away.

I think they were about 17 years old.

Reported it to the police but I figured everyone should just be aware.

daver

Sucks, sorry to hear it.

It isn't the first time I've heard that modus operandi reported here. Coming from that area, as well.