Astoria Billiards Closed Under Nuisance Warrant

The second nuisance abatement operation in the 114th Police Precinct ordered by the Queens Supreme Court of 2006 was executed under the direction of 114th Police Precinct Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Brian McCarthy on Monday, March 20. Acommercial establishment at 35-21 30th Ave. known as Astoria Billiards had been determined to be a location where liquor was sold without a liquor license, untaxed cigarettes were sold and customers were engaging in illegal gambling with United States currency and poker chips at a back table.

On January 9, 2006, nine persons were arrested, establishing the necessary civil proof to close the location. When executing the closing of the establishment on March 20, seven arrests took place for the same previous offenses. Two employees of the premise and five patrons were observed to be loitering at the location and were taken into custody. The two employees were charged with criminal nuisance (unlawful conduct) and the four other defendants were charged with loitering (remaining in a public place-gambling). One defendant was charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument. Alcohol and liquor were also discovered to be illegally served to customers at the location without authorization. This was the second nuisance to culminate in the closure of a problematic location. Other problematical locations have been submitted in 2006 and will be targeted in the same manner. 114TH POLICE PRECINCT BLOTTER Wednesday, March 15:

+A 23-year-old Asian woman claiming to be a psychic approached a victim in a supermarket and told the victim she had a "bad aura" about her. The perpetrator conned the victim into giving her $2,800 due to the fact that "money is the root to all evil". The perpetrator then stated that money would absorb the bad energy and that it would take an additional $8,500 to get rid of all the demons. The victim filed a complaint with the 114th Precinct, and under McCarthy's direction, the Detective Squad conducted an investigation. The perpetrator was apprehended on March 16 and charged with grand larceny, fraudulent accosting, fortune-telling and resisting arrest. The investigation is ongoing. Friday, March 17:

+Two defendants were observed offering an undercover female officer $40 in exchange for sexual intercourse. Both defendants were apprehended at that time in front of 40-19 23rd St. Under the direction of McCarthy, this is the third of three successful sting operations. Arrests for prostitution are up year-to-date. The first operation resulted in eight apprehended individuals, the second operation resulted in two apprehended individuals and this third also has two apprehended individuals. McCarthy is committed to rectifying this situation in the Astoria/LIC neighborhoods and will continue to conduct these operations to accomplish that.

+A 25-year-old, Hispanic male while driving a blue Dodge eastbound at 31st Street and Broadway was using a cell phone. Acar stop was conducted and a DMV check revealed the defendant to be operating the vehicle with a suspended license. The defendant was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator and use of a cell phone while driving.

+A 62-year-old white male, at 34-41 48th St., was operating a 1989 Oldsmobile with a temporary Michigan plate with the intent to misuse and had a falsely written instrument from Michigan. Upon further investigation, it was discovered the vehicle to be unregistered and uninsured. The defendant was charged with forgery, unregistered and uninsured vehicle.

+A 21-year-old, Hispanic male (1), 18-yearold white female (2) and 18-year-old black male (3) were charged with robbery, menacing, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of marijuana at 32-29 Steinway St. when the complainant/victim was confronted by them regarding money he owed defendant number one. Defendants number two and three confronted the complainant/victim and defendant number one brandished a silver knife while threatening the complainant/victim. Upon being apprehended, defendant number two was found to have marijuana in her coat pocket, which allegedly belonged to defendant number one. Saturday, March 18:

+A 20-year-old Hispanic male engaged in a physical altercation with another at 32-10 37th Ave. When placed under arrest the defendant flailed his arms and kicked at and pushed the police officer. The defendant was charged with obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

+Two Hispanic males, ages 17 and 15, engaged in a fist fight at 28-10 36th St., and upon being taken into custody did twist and flail their arms in an attempt to avoid being handcuffed. They were charged with assault with the intent to cause serious physical injury, assault-recklessly causing physical injury and resisting arrest. Sunday, March 19:

+A 19-year-old white male pointed a gun and demanded money from a complainant/victim at 25-70 37th St. Three other defendants remain atlarge. The defendant took the victim's credit card without permission or authorization. The defendant was charged with robbery, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, unauthorized use of a vehicle and criminal possession of a weapon. Monday, March 20:

+A 28-year-old white male was observed smoking a pipe of marijuana at 47th Street and Broadway. The pipe was later retrieved from the defendant's left jacket pocket. When the defendant was asked whether he had anymore marijuana on his person, it was found that the defendant also possessed a plastic bag of marijuana. The defendant was charged with criminal possession of marijuana.