Con Artists Nabbed By Task Force
BY RICHARD GENTILVISO

Deputy Inspector Brian McCarthy.

Two suspects believed responsible for several con game and identity theft incidents in Astoria have been arrested by a special Organized Crime Task Force unit. Deputy Inspector Brian McCarthy, commanding officer of the 114th Police Precinct's said the individuals, both from Jackson Heights, were picked up by task force officers on February 27. The task force operates out of the 115th Precinct in Jackson Heights.

"Usually, the target is elderly people," McCarthy said at the February meeting of the precinct community council. But at least one incident involved a 31-yearold woman he said. Typical schemes revolve around lottery and immigration status scams. McCarthy said the con men approach someone about splitting their winnings with them. But the thieves take your money and you'll never see it again.

"It's sad because we all work hard for our money," McCarthy said. If you are approached by some scam artist, the police advise that you get a good description of the person(s) and if possible, even call 911. "We want to detain this person and bring them back to the precinct," McCarthy said.

In a new format, three officers from the 114th will now be awarded Cop-of-the-Month honors every month. "It's hard to choose three every month, believe me," McCarthy said referring to the many deserving candidates reviewed for the citation. As an example, McCarthy noted the three police officers selected for January, Michael Rossello, Yuliya Davis and Joseph Ianno, were from a pool of 12 candidates. "We have three very well deserving recipients this month."

On January 14, at about 11:45 p.m., Rosello responded to a robbery call in which a broken glass bottle was used to commit the crime. Fresh from the police academy and newly assigned to the 114th, Rosello took a description and after canvassing the area with the victim, was able to locate, stop and arrest the suspect. A gravity knife was found on the suspect when he was taken into custody.

On January 24, at about 2:45 a.m., Davis was involved in a similarly dangerous situation when she responded to a call in which an expandable baton that turns into a 3-foot-long steel pipe was used to commit a robbery. Now in her second year at the 114th, Davis also nabbed the perpetrator by driving around the area with the victim.

Working the midnight shift on January 29, Ianno responded to a radio call of a burglary in progress at 40th Street and 30th Avenue. On arrival, Ianno noted a broken front glass window and called for backup. With other officers, Ianno coordinated a perimeter defense and captured a suspect trying to escape. In all, four were arrested.

For the week of February 2 through February 12, crime was down by 18 percent in the 114th, and for the past 28 days it is down by 9 percent, compared to last year.

"Cold weather is a friend of law enforcement," McCarthy said with a smile. Expanding his comments, he continued, "I believe it's [crime reduction] because we have 40 more police officers strategically placed, officers like Mike Rosello, making a robbery arrest. They're doing a good job." McCarthy also said the precinct is doing a good job in the war on graffiti. "So far, this year, we have 19 arrests compared to 16 last year."

In response to a question concerning the status of the case involving the sexual assault of a 9-year-old girl in Astoria Park last summer, McCarthy confirmed that the man charged did not appear for a January 23 court date. An arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect, Peter Belegrinos, who was out on $50,000 bail and is now believed to have left the country, first going to England and then to Greece.