Police Blotter: Robbery and Home Invasion on Bedford and Lex

Crime is up 17 percent in the 79^th Police precinct (49 incidents versus 42 incidents) for the week of May 14 – May 20, compared to this same week in 2011. For the month, crime is up 2 percent (161 percent versus 158 percent) for this same 28-day period compared to last year. And year to date, crime is 18 percent (701 incidents versus 596 incidents), compared to this same time in 2011.

Two Robberies:

On Friday, May 25, at approximately 4:50 a.m., a 22-year-old woman was robbed as she was entering her residence on Bedford Avenue (and Lexington Avenue). According to police, the woman was walking into her apartment on Bedford Ave. when she noticed and strange man following her into her vestibule. Once inside, the suspect pulled out a gun and asked the woman if she had a cellphone. The suspect then frisked her and took her cell phone and wallet out of her pants pocket and then asked, “You got a laptop? Who is home?” Suspect then walked the woman into her apartment and forced her to hand over her laptop and then stated, “If you scream, I’ll hurt you.” The thief stole approximately $1,515 of the victim’s property, including a Black iPhone, a MacBook, an the contents of his wallet, which contained a Citibank debit card and his Syracuse University I.D. The suspect then fled in an unknown direction. Police conducted a search of the area and found no leads. Police are now reviewing six different cameras around the crime scene, and the investigation is ongoing.

On Saturday, May 26, at approximately 6:45 p.m., a 15-year-old boy was harassed and then robbed on Kosciuszko Street near Nostrand Avenue. According to police, the boy was walking down Kosciuszko St. with two friends when a group of six males approached them and instigated a physical altercation. The victim says one of the suspects placed him in a chokehold while another suspect went through his pockets and stole his Metro PCS cell phone.

Assault and Arrest(s):

On Friday, May 25, two 17-year-old girls were arrested after one called the police on the other following a physical altercation that took place two weeks earlier. According to police, On Thursday, May 10, Chantal Bradford and Javonia Hutson got into a physical fight that ended with one receiving a head injury and the other, and injury to the face. Huston said she saw Bradford two weeks later walking into her apartment building at which time she called the police. Officers arrived on the scene. They reported no visible serious injuries. Both girls were arrested from charges each brought against the other.