Purse capers

Two men attacked and robbed a woman on her way out from a Chase bank on Manhattan Avenue on Dec. 2.

The woman exited the ATM between Calyer Street and Meserole Avenue at around 7 pm and was immediately met by a crook, who grabbed her, pushed her against a parked minivan, and snatched her purse along with her wallet and cellphone. The second thief acted as a lookout before the two got away.

The woman was not able to get a good look at her assailants.

Jackpot

A man with access to the keys to a Bedford Avenue ATM got away with $7,860 on Dec. 4 — and the cash machine’s owner is convinced that the thief is one of his guys.

Many workers from the maintenance company have keys and the combination to the ATM between N. Seventh and Eighth streets, the machine’s owner told police — and there was no sign of forced entry, so cops also believe that the burglary was an inside job.

School bully

A dastardly crook mugged a 15-year-old boy for $20 on Bedford Avenue on Dec. 1.

The victim was walking back to class at Automotive HS near McCarren Park at around noon when the bully walked up and asked, “Where’s my money?”

The victim gave him cash, and told officers that this particular jerk had taken his money before.

iBreak-in

A not-so-stealthy burglar kicked in a door at a Withers Street home on Dec. 1 and stole some electronics, but a neighbor may have seen the swindler.

The 26-year-old victim returned to his home, which is between Manhattan and Graham avenues, to find the door battered and several laptops, two cameras and an iPod missing. He told officers the crime must have occurred between 9:30 am and 8 pm. A neighbor said a suspicious character was in the building earlier in the week, but couldn’t identify him.

Car jackings

Four vehicles were reported stolen last week:

• A 2002 Honda Civic was picked up off Wythe Avenue between N. 14th and 15th streets at around 8 pm on Dec. 1.

• A beastly 2003 Explorer was lifted from the intersection of Berry and N. Third streets sometime between Dec. 4 and 5 while the owner was away.

• Crooks made off with a brand new Vespa on Graham Avenue between Engert Avenue and Newton Street sometime between Dec. 2 and 5.

• A 2005 Toyota Camry was taken from Jewel Street between Norman and Nassau avenues on Dec. 5.

©2009 Community Newspaper Group