Crime & Safety

112th Community Council Warns of Burglary, Grand Larceny Schemes

Burglars have been entering apartments through unlocked windows, while others have been stealing from unattended purses at local stores.

The 112th Precinct Community Council is warning local residents of burglary and grand larceny patterns that have recently taken place in the community.

There has been a recent increase in residential burglaries within the precinct, which covers Forest Hills and Rego Park.

During all of the incidents, the burglar has entered into apartments through unlocked or open windows adjacent to fire escapes.

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A majority of the incidents have taken place at apartment buildings along Queens Boulevard.

The 112th Precinct is calling on residents to not leave windows open or unlocked when leaving their residence or buzz anyone into the building unless they who know the person.

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Additionally, residents should leave a light on when leaving during nighttime hours and calling 911 if they spot a person climbing on a fire escape.

Police are also asking residents to remain alert about a grand larceny scheme that has taken place during the past two weeks.

During each incident, the victim left their purse unattended in shopping carts or strollers at a variety of local stores, including Trader Joe’s, Key Food, Costco and McDonald’s.

In an Oct. 2 incident, a 54-year-woman was leaving an Astoria Federal Saving Bank on 108th Street when two female suspects distracted her by talking about her baby, while the third removed cash from her pocketbook, police said.

The suspects have been described as a white woman who is five-feet-six-inches, weighing an estimated 130 pounds, and a light skinned male in his early 20s.

Anyone with information about the incident should call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-577-TIPS.


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