What a week! On Monday we overheard that the neighborhood letter carrier got her bag stolen in broad daylight (missing any paychecks, people?). That same PH resident reported a Saturday night mugging, and an attempted break-in (smashing the glass door to the apartment building). Apparently the 77th Precinct police who showed up were less than eager to pursue the case, despite a camphone photo of the perpetrator.
Speaking of camphone photos… Remember that guy who allegedly was going around conning people out of $10 here and $20 there with a well-honed story about his car breaking down, and his mother in the hospital, and by the way I can get you tickets to the Letterman show? You may want to read this.
Finally, DH newbie ph-bklyn reports: “a guy who lives in my building (on Sterling btwn Washington and Underhill) was mugged on the front steps of our building last Sat nite at 10:30 pm (could be the same mugging reported above?). he was talking on his cell phone. two young men ran up the steps, one put him in a choke hold and put a sharp object in his back, the other man stood in front. They asked for money (which he gave them) and then they ripped the cell phone out of his hand and ran towards Washington Ave headed towards St. Johns. He called the police and filled out a report and looked at mug shots, but was not able to identify either man. The police told him this has been happening quite a bit in the neighborhood. They said that people talking on cell phones are being targeted for a couple of reasons, one, to get the cell phone, and two, people are easier to mug while talking on the phone because they are not paying attention. They mentioned that this is happening all over the city but particularly in our neighborhood.