The Local will now offer weekly roundups of notable crimes within the confines of the Ninth Precinct, which covers the East Village. In addition to possible gunshots at Lillian Wald Houses on Friday, here’s who fought the law in recent days.
New Year’s Mayhem
A knife-wielding thief from New Jersey took cash from a New Year’s reveler mere hours after the ball dropped.
The victim told the police that a trio approached at the corner of East Fourth Street and Avenue A at around 1:40 a.m. and said, “Happy New Year. Let me see your wallet.” The victim then tried to walk away, and the suspect reiterated his demand and flashed a blade while his cohorts looked on. The victim handed over $50 and the group left. About 20 minutes later, the police arrested Dion Watson and charged him with robbery, possession of a deadly weapon and possession of stolen property. His alleged cohorts, Krishard Jones and a 17-year-old girl, were also charged with robbery.
Trouble at the Tavern
A thief chatted up a bar-goer on Jan. 7 at the Village Tavern and then forced him to hand over $200.
The victim told the police that the suspect kept chewing the fat with him in the bar on Avenue C at East 10th Street. At around 2:15 a.m. the suspect reached into the victim’s pocket, took his cellphone and wallet and said, “You’re not getting this back unless you give me money.” The suspect then forced the victim to go to an ATM and withdraw $200. About 30 minutes later, the police arrested Adam J. Soto, a 31-year-old resident of Campos Plaza, and charged him with robbery in the third degree and grand larceny.
Stick-Up
A thief pretended he was armed and robbed $400 from the First Avenue Finest Gourmet Deli on Jan. 10.
The police said that the suspect, along with a cohort, entered the business at East Tenth Street at around 12:30 a.m., motioned as if he had a gun and said, “Hurry up, give me everything.” Meanwhile, his accomplice hopped over the counter and emptied the register. Around 30 minutes later, the police charged Kareem Bennett, a 33-year-old from Brooklyn, with robbery. The accomplice has not been arrested.
Teen Trouble
A trio of teenagers beat up someone on East Seventh Street on Jan. 15.
The victim, whose age was not available, told the police that the three suspects cornered him (or her) between Second and Third Avenues at around midnight and unleashed a volley of punches and kicks. An hour later, the police charged the three teenagers with gang assault in the second degree.
Livery Lift
A thief stole a GPS and wallet from an unlocked livery cab parked on East Second Street on Jan. 2.
The driver of the car told the police he was parked between First Avenue and Avenue A at around 10:30 a.m. when the thief made his move — which was captured by a security camera mounted on the dashboard. Five days later, the police charged Raymond Perez, a 43-year-old resident of the Baruch Houses, with grand larceny.
N.Y.P.D. Surveillance video of the alleged police impersonators.
Police Poser
A pair of thieves posing as police officers attempted to rob two spas in separate incidents, one of which is in the East Village.
In the first attempt on Dec. 1, the disguised duo entered the Waterfront Spa on First Avenue at East Second Street and asked to see relevant permits and any cash on the premises. A 55-year-old employee refused and was grabbed by one of the suspects but not injured.
The second incident on Dec. 12 followed a similar pattern. The pair entered the Relax Spa on St. Nicholas Avenue in Washington Heights, made the same demands, and was rebuffed. One of the suspects punched a 33-year-old employee at the spa in the face, but she refused help from medics.
Kmart Caper
An employee of Kmart stole $3,000-worth of merchandise from the store between Dec. 14 and Jan. 7.
A manager told police that during a routine inventory check at the store at East Ninth and Lafayette Streets she realized that 30 televisions and six game systems were missing, and that they had been delivered to various unauthorized addresses, including the suspect’s. The suspect later confessed to copying the receipts of online orders and then having them sent to his home or a friend’s house, according to court documents. On Jan. 12, the police charged Corey Jones, a 25-year-old from Queens, with grand larceny.
Locked, Loaded and Arrested
A 19-year-old member of the Money Boys gang was arrested for carrying a loaded gun on Jan. 14.
The police said that the alleged gang member was at the corner of East 13th Street and Avenue B at around 12:15 a.m. when they discovered he had a loaded semi-automatic Smith and Wesson in his jacket. The police charged Deandre Horton, a resident of East Ninth Street, with criminal possession of a weapon.
If you know the identity of anyone suspected of committing a crime, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website. You can also text tips to 274637, then enter TIP577.
