Crime Blotter: Woman Held Hostage on Madison St., Escapes

Crime is up 12.5 percent in the 81^st Precinct (27 incidents versus 24 incidents) for the week of June 11 – June 17, compared to this same week in 2011. Crime is up 3 percent for the month (123 incidents versus 119 incidents), compared to this same 28-day period last year. Year to date, crime is up 11 percent (674 incidents versus 608 incidents), compared to this same time period in 2011.

Woman Held Hostage:

On Thursday, June 21, at approximately 1:00 p.m., an 18-year-old woman flagged down a police car after escaping from a home on Madison Street between Patchen and Malcolm X Blvd., where she had been held hostage for a week by strangers. According to police reports, the woman visited the home of the strangers – a man, 36, and two females, 18 and 23 .Her friend left but she stayed in the apartment, after which time, the victim said, she was not allowed to leave. The victim alleged that her captures were trying to force her into prostitution. After her escape, the victim was able to identify her captors. Police made three arrests.

Shooting

On Thursday, June 21, at 12:15 a.m., police received a call of shots fired on the corner of Gates and Marcus Garvey Blvd. Upon arrival at the scene, police found the man, 22, in front of 700 Gates Avenue, injured from being shot one time in his left arm. Detectives are working the case, but classified the victim as “uncooperative,” meaning he would not provide any details of the incident.  

An Arrest

An arrest was made of a man believed responsible for a shooting that took place on Monday June 11 at 7:30 a.m. on Hancock and Patchen. At the time, the victim – who was shot in the foot – was classified as uncooperative. Police were able to get a positive I.D. on the shooter and made an arrest on June 16.

**Special Announcement by 81^st Pct. Police: This year’s 4^th of July holiday, NYPD has engaged a special fireworks team initiative to arrest all those found carrying or using fireworks: “Fireworks are illegal, and if you are seen with it you will be arrested. That is a big thing now,” said Officer William Manderson, of the 81^st Pct. Community Affairs Department.

Also for iPhones and iPads, NYPD is asking that everyone please get the “Find Me” app. It will help identify location of the phone and also potentially lead to arrests. “It has helped us quite a few times already,” Manderson said.