By Thomas TracyGun run
These days criminals don’t have to run all over the place for a score. Sometimes all they have to do is hang outside a popular building.
Cops from the 90th Precinct allege that 42-year-old Darren Lee did just that last week when he allegedly stood outside of an address on South 5th Street and quickly found two people to rob.
Prosecutors allege that Lee pulled a gun on one man he found outside the address, located near Hooper Street, at 10:42 p.m. on February 26. As he did so another man came out of the building — a second victim for Lee to prey upon, police said.
Lee robbed both men of their cash and wallets, police alleged.
When cops from the 90th Precinct apprehended him a short time later, he still had his victims’ wallets on him, prompting them to charge him with robbery in the first degree, grand larceny, menacing and petit larceny.
Snow daze
While most crawled their way around our snow covered town last weekend, one unhinged motorist took police on a high speed chase through the nabe.
Cops tried to pull over Johnathan Avila, 25, at 5 p.m. on February 27 — the day after the snowstorm — when they spotted him allegedly passing the corner of Boerum and Leonard streets. His Florida license plate had an expired registration sticker, they said.
But Avila didn’t do what he was told and hit the gas, police alleged.
With lights and sirens blaring, cops chased Avila for several blocks — right through a steady red light.
Things got hinkier when Avila temporarily lost control of the car, struck a pile of snow and then barrelled toward a crowded intersection, police alleged. Everyone thought Avila was in trouble, including his female passenger, who was heard screaming inside the cabin as she tried to take the wheel.
Cops ultimately stopped Avila, charging him with reckless endangerment and resisting arrest. When he was taken into custody,
Avila couldn’t show proof of insurance or a valid license, which had been suspended.
Robbed during squabble
A 49-year-old man was arrested when he allegedly robbed a female friend during an argument.
Police said that Larry Wise — who was anything but —was arguing with the woman at a residence on Bushwick Avenue near Seigel Street, when he allegedly demanded she fork over all her property.
When she balked, he ordered her to remove her shirt and then robbed her of her cash, police alleged.
Cops were called in a short time later, where they charged Wise with grand larceny in the fourth degree, petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.
Caught in the act
A would-be burglar turned violent when he was caught rummaging through an address on Keap Street, police alleged.
Officials alleged that James Williams, 57, reportedly punched and shoved another man when he caught him holding several boxes of electrical equipment at the address between Marcy and Lee avenues shortly after 9 p.m. on February 18.
Williams was charged with burglary in the second degree, assault in the third degree, menacing, criminal trespass and harassment.
His victim suffered a sprained ankle, but was otherwise uninjured.
Valentine villain
A 39-year-old man’s Valentine’s Day was ruined because of a trip to the bathroom.
The victim told police that he was inside an eatery on Graham Avenue between Montrose Avenue and Meserole Street at 1:10 p.m. February 14 when he needed to use the facilities.
A thief made off with a leather coat he mistakenly left outside the bathroom as he did his business.
But we’re guessing that he wasn’t worried about the $700 coat, or the pack of cigarettes and tax refund check he had left in his pockets. Also secreted in the pocket was $1,650 engagement ring he was obviously planning to give to one lucky lady, officials said.
Help wipe out graffiti
As the ongoing war against graffiti vandalism continues, cops are now offering a $500 reward to anyone with information that can help them arrest neighborhood graffiti vandals.
The hefty reward is part of the city’s ongoing push to rid New York of graffiti; the leading quality of life complaint brought to police.
Anyone with information about graffiti vandalism in their neighborhood is urged to contact either 311 or 911.
