Going gun gaga
Three gunpoint robberies took place on the streets of Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO and Vinegar Hill last week, officials said.
Police said that a 22-year-old man visiting from Japan was walking through a Sands Street alley near Gold Street at 2:30 p.m. on October 12 when he was held up by two men, one wearing a mask.
The suspects pulled a gun and ordered him to fork over his camera and cell phone, officials said.
The gunpoint robberies continued three days later on Henry Street near Joralemon Street, where a 35-year-old man was robbed of his wallet, cash and credit cards just before 11:30 p.m. after coming across two pushy pistoleers wanting to know what was in his pockets.
Finally, on October 17, a 39-year-old man was robbed of a $2 bill and his credit cards as he walked through a park near the corner of Bridge and Prospect streets.
The victim said that he was making his way to the other side of the park at 11:50 a.m. when two males in dark clothing stopped him, pulled a gun and ordered him to hand over his money.
Police said that they apprehended at least one of the two suspects shortly after the park heist.
That man, identified as 19-year-old Rodney Bradford, was charged with robbery. It was unclear if he was responsible for the other muggings. His partner, officials said, was still at large.
Saving his minutes
A 35-year-old took action when a crooked couple swiped his cell phone at the Borough Hall subway stop last week, cops were told.
The victim said that he was about to exit a 4 train at 6:30 p.m. on October 14 when the Bonnie and Clyde wannabes grabbed his phone.
Outraged, the victim tackled the male suspect, sparking a brawl that rolled out onto the platform when the subway doors opened.
Both the male and female suspects beat the victim before escaping, leaving him with a cut above his left eyebrow that needed five stitches to close at an area hospital, police said.
Cadman Plaza caper
Cops are looking for a thief – possibly a homeless man – who raided a Parks Department locker room at the Cadman Plaza Park House.
Workers said that the locker room, which is attached to a public bathroom, was broken into sometime after 12:30 p.m. on October 15. A Parks Department employee’s wallet containing $250 was reported stolen.
Workers believe an area homeless man who routinely seeks refuge in the public restroom is responsible.
Snagged from hand
An area man saw his cell phone snatched right out of his hand as he walked down York Street last week.
The victim told police that he was talking on his phone as he neared Gold Street at 11:20 p.m. on October 11 when three quick-moving thieves approached.
One of the thieves jumped the victim from behind, took the cell phone and ran off into a nearby courtyard.
His two accomplices ran off after him into the night, officials said.
Ripper renegade
Cops are looking for a thief who’s a cut above the rest – a fiend who won’t let a cloth convertible roof get in his way.
A 31–year-old Schermerhorn Street resident told police that he parked his car on Wyckoff Street between Smith and Hoyt streets at 6 p.m. on October 10.
He thought everything was fine with the car until he returned to the convertible at 9:30 p.m. the following night and found that someone had slashed open the top.
The car’s seats, as well as the knob for the shifter had been removed, officials said.
Frame job
Cops are looking for the thief who made off with a few pricey pieces of eyewear from a neighborhood Lens Crafters store.
Workers at the Court Street store near State Street told police that a pair of Prada sunglasses, two pairs of Versace sunglasses and three pairs of Vogue glasses had been removed from a display area at 12:45 p.m. on October 13. A pair of Donna Karan glasses had also been taken, officials said.
Toe stepper two step
A 36-year-old straphanger who didn’t have the decency to apologize for stepping on another rider’s foot ended up going to jail for leaving the man battered and bruised for demanding an apology, police alleged.
Officials said that Shawn President was taking an A train to Jay Street at 2 p.m. on October 15 when he stepped on the victim’s foot.
The outraged rider wanted to hear “I’m sorry” but President had something else in mind, police alleged.
Instead of providing a mea culpa, he thrust his hand in his jacket pocket as if he had a gun and threatened to “pop” his victim, officials alleged.
When the train finally stopped at Jay Street, the duo got out and began fighting – right in front of a transit cop, who took both men into custody after a brief struggle.
After figuring who had the lead foot, and the lead brain, President, who really wasn’t armed, was charged with assault and obstructing government administration.
His victim wasn’t charged, but the cop who broke up the fight ended up with a reminder from the ordeal – an injured back, officials said.
Unloading purse
A thief helped himself to a 42-year-old woman’s purse as she unloaded her car on Court Street last week.
The woman said that she was bringing several items inside an address between Pacific and Amity streets at 10:30 a.m. on October 5 when the theft took place.
She had just entered the building when a stranger opened her car door – which she mistakenly left unlocked – and snagged her purse, which contained a cell phone, credit cards and $400.
Slashed over cigarette
A 22-year-old man had his face ripped open during an argument sparked by a pack of smokes.
The victim told police that he was at the corner of Court and Montague streets just before 11 a.m. on October 6 when he asked a stranger if he could have one of his cigarettes.
The two soon got into an argument that ended in bloodshed, police said.
The victim told authorities that he and the stranger were fighting when something stung his face.
In seconds, he realized what had happened: the suspect had slashed his face and arm, leaving deep cuts that needed treatment at Bellevue Hospital.
Cops were still looking for the assailant, who the victim described as a Hispanic male in his thirties.
