A keen-eyed Forest Hills resident is responsible for the arrest of a suspect who broke into a car on Burns Street this week.
The homeowner observed a male walking down the street and trying the door handles on various cars. A 911 call was made and when police from the 112th precinct arrived a short time later, the perpetrator was quickly located walking around the neighborhood and was in possession of items that had been removed from a vehicle parked on Burns Street. He was taken into custody.
Captain Thomas Conforti, Commanding Officer of the precinct, personally questioned the prisoner, asking him why he committed the crime. The suspect responded and said, “I only do this because I am hungry and I need money for food. I don’t break windows or damage cars as most of the cars are open anyway.”
Conforti went on to point out that leaving doors open and valuables exposed is an invitation to be robbed and encourages all residents to safeguard their homes and vehicles always remembering to lock all doors and windows.
The captain also used the 112th precinct Community Council Facebook page this week to offer a special thank you to Councilmember Karen Koslowitz for securing NYPD security cameras for the community that officially went into use this week. The 112th Precinct got 13 of the cameras thanks to a grant obtained by Kozlowitz’ office. Conforti said he was very happy with the acquisition and that the cameras will be a vital tool in making the precinct safer.
He noted there that, overall, crime in the 112th precinct is down about 7 percent for the year.
By Samantha Geary
