88th Precinct
Fort Greene–Clinton Hill
Bad agent
Authorities arrested a man who they say pretended to be an agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in order to snag free cigarettes and cash from a Hanson Place store on Feb. 1.
The man entered the bodega near Ashland Place around 1:40 am and allegedly flashed a badge and handcuffs, stating he was an agent and demanding the worker hand over e-cigarettes and $2,000 or he would give the store $5,000 in summonses and take away its vending license, cops reported.
The worker gave him $390 worth of cigarettes before police arrived and slapped cuffs on him, authorities said.
Really petty crook
A thief stole the tip jar from a Carlton Avenue cafe on Jan. 31 and threatened to gun a guy down after he chased him.
The filcher entered the eatery near DeKalb Avenue at 1:10 pm, grabbed the jar containing $30, and left, police said. A witness ran after the crook, but the jerk snarled, “Don’t make me shoot you,” and hightailed it out of there with his loot, according to a report.
Blades
A couple of cretins tried to mug a man with a knife and scissors at a Portland Avenue bus stop on Jan. 31.
The 56-year-old victim told cops he was waiting for the bus near Flushing Avenue around 10:40 pm when the one of the goons grabbed him and put a blade to his back, hissing, “If you don’t give me your stuff, I will kill you,” while his accomplice threatened him with scissors. But the duo didn’t end up taking anything and fled empty-handed, authorities said.
Spray
A skunk used pepper spray on a Myrtle Avenue bodega worker after he tried to stop him from stealing snacks on Feb. 2.
The jerk snagged a Guinness, a Red Bull, and a Crunch from the store between Vanderbilt and Clinton avenues at 3:50 pm and left without paying, cops said.
The worker followed the guy out of the store as he was on the phone with 911, but the villain turned around, sprayed him, and fled, according to a report.
Held up
Cops cuffed a guy who they say stole a man’s phone and wallet at knifepoint outside the Fort Greene Park visitor center on Myrtle Avenue on Feb. 1.
The victim was relaxing on the steps by N. Portland Avenue at 5 pm when the suspect allegedly approached him and said, “Give me your phone,” then pulled out a blade. The victim handed over his cell and the man then demanded his wallet, so he relinquished that too and the suspect ran off, police said.
— Lauren Gill
