Auto Thefts Increase Again In Latest Crime Stats

As the approaches the end of the year, police take a hard look at what has been another down year for most crime in the borough.

There are very few areas in the precinct — which covers Rego Park and Forest Hills  — which have seen any substantial increase in crime over the past 12 months.

In the most recent crime statistics available, in fact, the precinct has seen decreases in crime over the same week last year, with the exception of assaults and auto thefts.

There was one more assault in Forest Hills between Nov. 29 and Dec. 5 than in the same week in 2009, two this year compared to one in 2009.

The area that saw the biggest increase was auto thefts. Between Nov. 29 and Dec. 5 of this year, there were six stolen cars reported in the precinct, compared to just two in the same period last year.

The increase over the entire month was 71 percent, or 12 stolen cars reported, compared to just seven last year.

In total for 2010, there has been a 13 percent increase in auto thefts in the 112th Precinct, a jump that far outpaces any other reported crime in the area.

In fact, the only other area that's seen an increase over last year is robberies, which have seen a just under six percent increase.

Police in the area have said that increase can be accounted for by looking at the number of .

Since the auto theft numbers started to jump over the summer, , including VIN etching, that are designed to prevent car thieves from getting very far with their stolen quarry.

One other police concern of late has been the investigation into over Thanksgiving weekend at 's. The incident is not considered a homicide because the medical examiner determined after examining the body of victim Haroon Walfall that he should not have died from his injuries.

Until the medical examiner is able to determine a cause of death, police will only be investigating the incident as an assault.

This year's 112th Precinct Community Council Christmas Party will be held on Thursday, Dec. 16 at Russell Sage Junior High School.