Deputy Inspector Jeffrey Schiff, commanding officer of the 106th Precinct, detailed the state of the command on Tuesday at the Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic meeting. Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza.
Police are seeking the public’s assistance in tracking down a homegrown burglary suspect wanted in connection with two recent high-profile incidents on Cross Bay Boulevard.
Hamilton Beach native Keith Kolm, 25, is wanted for his role in ripping out an automated teller machine from a Key Food store in the early morning hours of April 6. Investigators also believe that Kolm had a hand in cracking open an ATM and removing the safe from a KFC restaurant last Sunday.
Police are looking for burglary suspect Keith Kolm. Photo Courtesy of NYPD.
“Is he suspected of doing other crimes in the area? Absolutely,” said Deputy Inspector Jeffrey Schiff, commanding officer of the 106th Precinct. “He’s probably done others. We want this individual.”
Schiff, speaking Tuesday evening at the Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic meeting, again emphasized the importance of the role of the community in bringing Kolm to justice.
“This is a tight-knit community—everyone knows everyone else,” he said.
As far as overall crime in the command, Schiff said that a slight uptick is being driven by auto offenses and robberies. It should be noted, however, that the 106th has the highest robbery case closure rate—72 percent—in the city.
While his members “seem to have stemmed the tide” of tire and rim burglaries, Schiff acknowledged that “every community in the 106 is suffering from” grand larceny auto.
“It’s very difficult, and I’m having a hard time,” he said, later adding, “I believe this is how we’re going to catch these individuals—with your help.”
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
