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People have to realize — there’s lots of crime in Fort Greene

By Kate Briquelet
The Brooklyn Paper

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88th Precinct

Fort Greene–Clinton Hill

Subway horror

A knife-wielding lunatic jumped two women on a Manhattan-bound 4 train on Oct. 10 — scoring a MacBook, iPhone and a Shakespearean play.

Brooklyn Conservatory

The victims told cops that the subway was approaching Nevins Street at 2:36 am when the thug ordered, “Give me your money and stuff or I will f—king stab you!”

The goon then brandished a hunting knife, prompting the 19- and 20-year-old women to hand over a purse filled with loot and $20.

Apple picking

Two thieves swiped a woman’s iPad from an Atlantic Avenue subway station on Oct. 14, but a bystander collared one of the perps until the other returned the tablet.

The 39-year-old victim told cops she was near Flatbush Avenue and Hanson Place at 3:05 pm when the goons ran off with her hot-ticket device.

That’s when a Good Samaritan intervened, holding one of the thugs until cops arrived.

Juiced thief

Police arrested a young burglar after he allegedly stole electronics from a Carlton Avenue home on Oct. 11 — and left a thank-you note.

The 42-year-old victim told cops that she left her house near Willoughby Avenue at 1 am. When she returned seven hours later, an iPad, camera, laptop, cellphone, and PlayStation controller were gone.

All that remained was a letter that said: “You’ve been caught slipping. Thanks for the OJ. Have a nice day.”

Police arrested a 21-year-old suspect the next day.

Boosted

A thief who went on a burglary spree last week also stole an SUV from a man on St. James Place, cops said.

The 40-year-old victim told cops that when he woke up at his apartment near Gates Avenue on Oct. 11, his front door was open and his car keys, BMW carryall, mobile and iPad were gone.

Phone haul

Cops arrested an Apple-loving thief on Oct. 10 after he allegedly snatched a man’s iPhone on Gates Avenue.

The 29-year-old victim told police that he was near Washington Avenue at 3:08 pm when the perp punched him in the face, yanked his mobile and fled.

Cops caught up with the bandit shortly after, police said.

Idyll of evil

Two gun-toting marauders robbed a 21-year-man in Fort Greene Park on Oct. 9 — showing that the greenspace is still a thief’s paradise.

The victim told police that he was near St. Edwards and Willoughby streets at 4 am when the robbers approached. One pulled a gun while the other said, “You good, man, just give us your s—t.”

The duo snatched the man’s property and fled east on Myrtle Avenue.

Park snatch

A brazen thief lifted a woman’s purse and iPhone as she sat in Fort Greene Park on Oct. 10.

The 31-year-old victim told police that she was near Myrtle Avenue and St. Edwards Street at 6:55 pm when the perp grabbed her stuff and fled.

Jewel heist

A burglar stole thousands of dollars worth of diamond jewelry from a DeKalb Avenue apartment on Oct. 12.

The 33-year-old victim told cops that she had left her apartment near S. Oxford Street at 3:15 pm and returned hours later to find that a diamond necklace, Tiffany bracelets, earrings, $7,000 and an iPad were gone.

French made

A creep mugged a woman on Adelphi Street on Oct. 11 — taking her wallet, $3 and French ID cards.

The 22-year-old victim told police that she was near Lafayette Avenue at 1:30 am when the thug threw her to the ground and yanked her billfold.

Dirty secret

A thief stole 300 pairs of underwear from the Flatbush Avenue Victoria’s Secret on Oct. 13.

An employee told cops that the burglar entered the back of the store near Atlantic Avenue at 10:20 am, put a bunch of underwear in a bag and fled.

Police are seeking a 35-year-old suspect with curly hair.

— Kate Briquelet

Updated 9:54 pm, October 18, 2011: An earlier version of this story had the wrong byline, which some observers believe is the editor trying "to send a message" to a staffer. Sometimes that is the case, but it was not on this particular story. Kate Briquelet is doing a great job.

©2011 Community Newspaper Group

←Music: Tom Chapin’s food for thought
→Carroll Gardens: Punched out on Second Place

Reader Feedback

Dock Oscar from Puke Slop says:
Looking like the good 'ol days. Still can't believe folks walk around texting on iphones like zombies. Or reading ebooks on ipads. ETC. Ya'll ain't from around here are ya? The suburbanization of NYC is now waking up to the urban reality.
Oct. 18, 2011, 10:46 am
al pankin from downtown says:
what do you expect to happen when the area is surrounded by the projects?
Oct. 18, 2011, 11:07 am
gimme from around says:
iPhonez and iPadz b fallin' from da treez like au-au-au-tumn leafs yo, i gotz my basket too
Oct. 18, 2011, 12:59 pm
Edward from Clinton Hill says:
I'm sick of these comments. You people are blamming the victims, and excusing the thug idiots who are ruining the community!!! I've lived in Brooklyn for a long time...no, i do not flash expensive electronics or leave my door unlocked or walk near the park late at night...but in itself, that is also sad. I'm sorry so many of you are bitter and angry that hard working, young people of ALL COLORS have moved into what was once a cess-pool of crime and drugs that was Fort Greene and MURDER AVENUE...but those people have made this area beautiful as well! WE should feel proud to live in a nice area, where smart, hard working people with good jobs want to live and improve and open nice places to eat and drink and shop...but instead, most of you want the thugs to win, the yuppies to move out and us all to return to our miserable lives excusing crime for being a result of our pathetic circumstances. Get a grip, and remember that same guy who robbed the white yuppies iphone would rob you just the same. They are the enemies, they are running wild and ALL OF US need to put a stop to it.
Oct. 18, 2011, 4:54 pm
local from here says:
@Edward: Time for you to go back to Portland.
Oct. 18, 2011, 5:17 pm
UmadBro? from wat says:
I'm with Edward, the area has improved since white people started moving in and the blacks started moving out.
Oct. 18, 2011, 5:24 pm
Scrapy doo from Ft Greene says:
Edward I hear you but reality is the PJ's aren't going anywhere anytime soon. So until we live in a perfect world where crime doesn't exist get your heads outta your electronics and keep alert of who is around you. Don't give them that advantage on you.
Oct. 18, 2011, 5:34 pm
(( from Fort Greene-Clinton Hill says:
UmadBro, YOU ARE what's WRONG with the neighborhood.
Oct. 18, 2011, 5:34 pm
J from FortGreene says:
I've lived in FortGreene for 45 years, and never been robbed. To the racist making the comments that all the crime going on is b/c of "black people and the projects",
why did you move into a predominantly black neighborhood? You obviously arrived with the notion that all black people are criminals so why did you come here? Perhaps you should think more on how you can be a part of a positive solution, instead of spreading your steriotypical racist hatred. The last time I checked crimes weren't being soley committed by " Black people", that live in the projects.
Oct. 18, 2011, 6:20 pm
CH from CLINTON HILL says:
I'm with Edward! It's MY fault I work for a living instead of feeding off the system and robbiong ppl at gunpoint? Burn down the project and build a starbucks, I could care less and don't give me any bull about the "poor people" who live in them. Sick of this garbage on the street.
Oct. 18, 2011, 6:23 pm
(( from the fort says:
Add CH and Edward to the list of people who do NOT belong in the neighborhood. Yea, crime's a negative element that has, and continues to, haunt longtime residents, but those longtime residents did not ALSO have to endure equally harmful racist attacks from unwelcoming newcomers.
Oct. 18, 2011, 7:07 pm
sandeez from windsor ter says:
I worked in Forte Greene for 10 yrs 1990 to 2000. My son graduated from Brooklyn tech 4 yrs ago. I shop, visit and still do business there. I was suspiciously under the impression that new residents were blending nicely into the area and there was mutual respect between newcomers and the core residents who have lived there for generations. I think it is always insensitive (and unwise) for people who have wealth and the nice things that come with it to openly display their stuff. This however does not give others the right to take what isn't theirs. I am sad to know that crime is still high in the area but much more dissapointed to read the disrespectful comments being made. Forte Greene is a very colorful, interesting and unique area that seems to begetting more
and more interesting each year. Maybe community youth programs would help the situation. Something like the Police Athletics League. PAL or a ymca ....
Oct. 18, 2011, 10:18 pm
CH from CLINTON says:
Racist against whom exactly? I am a black man who has grown up in this neighborhood. Perhaps you are the racist one, assuming that because I said I work and don't feel comfortable surrounded by projects I must be not only white, but a new-comer to the area who does not belong?
Oct. 19, 2011, 2:34 am
anabdul from cobble hill says:
Welcome to the segregation of Brooklyn.The disparity of income between whites and blacks is sickening. "Yes We Can!" take over neighborhoods! "Yes We Can" marginalize long-term residents! Just like American foreign policy (see invasion of Iraq). Buyer Beware.
Oct. 19, 2011, 7:18 am
UmadBro from wat says:
Just saying, I don't live near the blacks or hispanics and we don't seem to have these problems in our neighborhood.

Problem?
Oct. 19, 2011, 8:16 am
Dave from FT.Greene says:
The project buildings are where all the crime in the area really is coming from, anyone who denies this needs to wake up. How much more of our tax money is going to fund housing for people who are content with living off welfare and food stamps and stealing from working people when they want something.
Oct. 19, 2011, 12:30 pm
Corey from Fort Greene says:
It's not just the houses, crime is prevalent throughout the 'hood: http://fort-greene.thelocal.nytimes.com/2010/01/04/crime-map-2009-robberies/ -- and from what i've seen and read, crime was equally prevalent in 2010, also now in 2011
Oct. 19, 2011, 1:15 pm
Dock Oscar from Puke Slop says:
Well, you used to have to be TOUGH to live in NYC...now you just have to be RICH. Due to rising rents, I keep getting pushed out further and further from Manhattan. Pretty soon, I'll be living in a rowboat off of Coney.
Oct. 19, 2011, 1:45 pm
Lp from Fort Greene says:
I'm glad moronic wanna be tough guys like Dock Oscar are getting priced out. I don't think we should have to public housing. If you can't afford to live here than just leave.
Oct. 19, 2011, 1:54 pm
Dave from FT.GREENE says:
Lp. I agree, people need to get over gentrification and just move on with their lives. Rent to high in NYC, try another city then. GoodBye!
Oct. 19, 2011, 1:57 pm
CScottieG from Ft. Greene says:
1) If you don't like the neighborhood. GET OUT. The neighborhood is too damn crowded now anyway.

2) I live in Ft. Greene specifically FOR its diversity. That diversity goes to race just as much income and that's just fine with me.

3) This is a city folks; crime happens - it's a shame that it does, but it does.

4) Why don't all of you angry fools on this string spend less time b*tching about the crime and more time looking out for it. Cops in the neighborhood could certainly step up the game, there's no doubting that, but those that live in the neighborhood should be looking out for each other just as well. It's ——ing pathetic that people sit around and play the blame game for the cause of the crime rather than spend time trying to help stop it...

5) I love Ft. Greene - I'm not moving anywhere else.
Oct. 19, 2011, 2:59 pm
Cynthia from Clinton Hill says:
UmadBro from wat says:
Just saying, I don't live near the blacks or hispanics and we don't seem to have these problems in our neighborhood.

Problem? Ok what neighborhood are you talking a bout? where you from? Im hispanic and i work and i live in clinton hill. i make a great salary, am i dangerous? for the most part whites are coming in even more. projects been here a long time. I hate the projects. its more about class, the haves and the haves not in Clinton Hill.
Oct. 19, 2011, 11:41 pm
Cynthia from Clinton Hill says:
@Dave i totally agree with you. :)
Oct. 19, 2011, 11:48 pm
UmadBro? from wat says:
@Cynthia
This is America, learn to speak english.
Oct. 20, 2011, 5:25 pm
Cynthia from Clinton Hill says:
@Umadbro what!?!?!? wtf are you talking about? speak english? DUMMY!!!!
Oct. 20, 2011, 6:05 pm
gimmelovesthecock from under a rock says:
gimme you illiterate bastard!
why does an idiot like you want an iphone/ipad so bad? why don't you play in traffic instead
Oct. 20, 2011, 6:44 pm
gimme from around says:
so I can contacts yo moms n' bang her yo!
Oct. 21, 2011, 12:49 pm
gimme eats the cheese from from under my balls says:
wow gimme, that was very clever.
your a middle school student right?
that is assuming you haven't already dropped out
Oct. 21, 2011, 2:01 pm
UmadBro from wat says:
Gimme is a white upper-middle class hipster living in Buswhich or williamsburg.

Obvious troll is obvious.
Oct. 21, 2011, 2:58 pm
gimme from around says:
I keeps bangin' all yo moms yo - I lives in Bed-Stuy and beats alla yo azz
Oct. 21, 2011, 3:04 pm
UmadBro? from wat says:
http://img.chan4chan.com/img/2009-09-09/1252474682846.jpg
Oct. 21, 2011, 3:19 pm
Sam from da Tardis says:
Fort Greene now. Park Slope coming soon.
Oct. 21, 2011, 5:23 pm
Gimmecrabs says:
Oh so gimme is a hipster from bed stuy
Oct. 21, 2011, 6:08 pm
gimme eats the cheese from under my balls says:
i think i found gimme:

www.meatspin.com

hint: hes the one up top
Oct. 21, 2011, 6:12 pm
gimme from around says:
wrong again fools, now where yo ipads n iphones at? it be the night where I gets busyyyy
Oct. 21, 2011, 11:47 pm
gimme from around says:
and yo cheese under yo balls guy, you needs a shower yo, dirty smelly disgustin' pathetic muthafuka, ok I is out
Oct. 21, 2011, 11:50 pm
gimme from around says:
and oh gimmecrabs needs a shower too! hahahaa - you smell bad
Oct. 21, 2011, 11:53 pm
Sebb from Cobble hill says:
Cynthia makes a lot of sense here. Everyone just needs to be a little street smarter that's all.
Oct. 22, 2011, 6:07 pm
Gimmehasdacrabs says:
Gimme iz under educated
Oct. 22, 2011, 9:06 pm
gimme from around says:
gimmecrabz dude iz retarded yo and can't figuh out how ta turn on da faucet ta wash heself - hahahaaa
Oct. 23, 2011, 3:10 pm
gimme loves the —— from strait out da azz! says:
hey gimme:

http://img.chan4chan.com/img/2009-09-09/1252474682846.jpg
Oct. 24, 2011, 3:38 pm
Gimme herpes says:
Why isn't you out gang banging gimme?
Oct. 24, 2011, 10:48 pm
gimme is a chump from cok lover says:
i think we found gimme:

http://img.chan4chan.com/img/2009-05-17/1242560153318.jpg

why would you want to bang someones mom? a 40 yr old lady. u izzz naaaazzzteeeeeeey
i spelled that so you could understand it
Oct. 25, 2011, 8:57 am
manhatposeur from manhatland says:
Destroy the projects.
Oct. 27, 2011, 3:57 pm
gimme from around says:
again yo I dont takes da time ta check out ya jpegs, iz all pix of yo moms who I bang, ahhaahah, unless dey is ugly like u, den no! haahahah
Oct. 28, 2011, 12:50 pm
Gimme says:
No speaka gimme
Nov. 5, 2011, 12:03 am

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