March 8, 2008: Vol. 31, No. 10

A couple walking to the steps of their 70th Street home was beaten and robbed by a group of perps on March 1.

The 36-year-old man, along with his wife, was first approached by the two thugs as they entered the driveway, which is near 19th Avenue, at around 1:05 am. The husband was punched repeatedly in the face and body and knocked to the ground. Meanwhile, the perps wrestled the purse from his wife, who was thrown onto the pavement.

The perps fled with the purse, which contained $7,000, including credit and debit cards, while the victims were taken to Lutheran Medical Center to be treated for numerous bruises and scratches from the altercation.

Watch hold-up

A man was held up at gunpoint as he was walking on Benson Avenue on Feb. 25.

The 33-year-old was near 23rd Avenue at around 11:35 pm when the thug approached, pulled out a black firearm and demanded all of the victim’s property.

The man forked over his wallet and watch, which $900 together, police said.

Puppy piracy

A 17th Avenue puppy boutique was robbed by a group of bandits that stole two miniature dogs from the popular shop on March 2.

The pooch-loving perps entered the pet store, which is near New Utrecht Avenue, at around 6:30 pm and promptly asked for two puppies to be taken out of the cages.

The clerk didn’t think anything was amiss, as customers often hold and cuddle the stock.

Eventually, the perps spotted an opening and sprang for the front door with the puppies in hand as the owners buzzed out another customer, police said.

Butterfingers

An 86th Street store was very close to being robbed on Feb. 24, but was not, thanks to the criminal’s butterfingers and a crafty customer.

The would-be perp entered the store, which is near Bay 20th Street, at around 11:20 am. He suddenly reached behind the register, grabbed an envelope that held $2,500 and attempted to flee.

But a customer standing behind the perp saw the whole incident, and smacked the envelope out of his hands, police said.

The embarrassed thief fled empty-handed.

Elderly break-in

An elderly woman returned to her 21st Avenue apartment to find a ransacked bedroom, her cash missing, and her walls covered in graffiti on Feb. 23.

The 84-year-old returned to her home, which is near 80th Street, at around 2 pm to find that the perps had ransacked her bedroom, swiping $2,000 from beneath her mattress, police said.

To add insult to injury, the thief also left graffiti on the woman’s bathroom wall, closet and door.

The elderly woman’s apartment was dusted for prints, along with a bottle of soda that was sent out for DNA analysis. Also, the building has surveillance video installed, which will help in the investigation.

©2008 The Brooklyn Paper