Pleas For Help With Lottery Ticket Can Be Scam
BY LINDA J. WILSON

On three separate occasions during the past month in the area of 11-34 Welling Ct., two female suspects have been approaching people and conducting a con game. One suspect, described as having blonde hair, approaches a victim and asks for help going to an immigration lawyer. At that moment, a second suspect, described as heavy-set, approaches, claiming she can help by providing a ride in her gray mini-van. At this point, suspects and victim all get into the vehicle.

The blonde suspect states she has a winning lottery ticket, but does not have legal status in the United States. The heavy-set suspect states she does and can help.

In one incident that took place on March 13 at about 11 a.m., a victim was convinced she would get some of the winnings if she helped. She went back to her home and retrieved some jewelry and then went to the Chase Bank at 31-05 30 Ave., where she withdrew $1,000. The blonde suspect put the victim's money into a sock and exchanged the sock with one filled with newspaper.

114th Police Precinct Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Brian McCarthy is alerting the public to the con game. All area residents should be on the lookout for these two suspects-and be careful not to fall for the scam.

114th Police Precinct Blotter Monday, March 13:

+ Two Hispanic males 17 and 18 years old were observed by a complainant to be handling marijuana in public view on the stairs at 32-71 48th St., where they did not have permission or authority to be. They were charged with loitering, criminal possession of marijuana and trespassing.

+ A 29-year-old Hispanic man removed a chain, lock and crate from 37-03 Broadway without permission or authority. The victim approached the suspect, who did not return the items. The suspect was charged with petit larceny.

+ At 20-45 Shore Blvd. a 20-year-old white man was seen with an open container of alcohol in his waistband. He did not have any form of identification and resisted being placed in handcuffs by fighting and causing public alarm. He was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

+ A 33-year-old man was seen not wearing a seatbelt while operating a vehicle. When stopped at Hoyt Avenue North and Astoria Park South, he was unable to produce a license. A check with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) revealed he was driving with a suspended license. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator, unlicensed operator and no seatbelt.

+ At 24th Avenue and 37th Street a 33year-old white man was found to be operating a motorcycle with expired registration. When stopped, he revved the engine and proceeded forward in an attempt to flee the scene. The two officers who had first stopped him forcibly kept him from leaving.

He resisted arrest by pushing an officer and flailing his arms. He was found to have a bag of marijuana in his possession and a DMV check revealed the defendant to be operating the motorcycle without a motorcycle license. The motorcycle was unregistered and uninsured. The perpetrator was charged with menacing, reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to obey police, operating an unregistered vehicle and operating an uninsured vehicle. Tuesday, March 14:

+ A 52-year-old white man was observed making an illegal left turn at 31st Street and Hoyt Avenue North-Hoyt Avenue South. He was stopped and a DMV check revealed he was operating a vehicle with a suspended license. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator and making an improper turn.

+ At 21st Street and 27th Road a 39year-old white man was observed disobeying a steady red signal. He was unable to produce a license and a DMV check revealed he was operating a vehicle with a suspended license. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator, unlicensed operator and disobeying a red signal.

+ A 20-year-old Hispanic man was seen with a marijuana cigarette in public view at Shore Boulevard and Ditmars BoulevardAstoria Park South. He was charged with criminal possession of marijuana.

+ A 34-year-old Hispanic man was charged with criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny when he was seen by security personnel in a store at 33-01 30th Ave. placing merchandise into his jacket pocket and walking past all points of sale without authority or permission.

+ A 25-year-old white woman punched a man with her closed fist at 25-88 41st St., causing bruising to the victim's face. He also sustained scratches to the back of his neck. The act was witnessed by the couple's twoyear old daughter. The woman was charged with assault with intent to cause physical injury and acting in a manner that injures a child below the age of 17. Wednesday, March 15:

+ A 37-year-old white man was observed behind a brick wall on private property at 32-28 42nd St. without permission or authorization. He was also found to be in possession of an open container of beer in public view. He was charged with criminal trespass and violation of a local law. Precinct Commander Deputy Inspector Brian McCarthy noted that police will continue to enforce trespass violations in an effort to prevent burglary crimes.

+ A 25-year-old Hispanic man was observed removing headlights from a vehicle without permission or authorization at 38-56 11th St. He also had a wrench in his possession and was using it as a burglar's tool. He was charged with auto stripping and possession of burglars' tools.

+ A 21-year-old Hispanic man held a knife to a victim's neck at 31st Street and 30th Avenue and took $300 without permission or authorization. He was charged with robbery and criminal possession of stolen property

+ Police officers responded to a radio run about an unconscious male in a vehicle at 4307 Astoria Blvd. The vehicle started up as they arrived on the scene. They stopped the car and found a 27-year-old white man at the wheel. The driver appeared to have bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and a red, flushed face and couldn't stand without assistance. He was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hypodermic instrument, operating a vehicle while impaired, license restriction and refusal to take a breath test.

+ At 13th Street and 34th Avenue, a 22year-old Hispanic man struck a woman in the head with a closed fist, causing substantial pain, alarm and stress. He was charged with assault with intent to cause physical injury and harassment. Thursday, March 16:

+ A thorough follow-up investigation led to establishing a successful case against a 29year-old white man who was ultimately charged with criminal possession of controlled substance, criminal possession of marijuana, unlicensed operator, fail to appear for a bench warrant and a traffic violation after he was observed conducting a turn without signaling at Broadway and Crescent Street and had an obstructed rearview mirror. When stopped, he was unable to produce a valid driver's license and was found to have an open bench warrant for a criminal court summons. He was taken into custody and his vehicle was vouchered and subjected to an inventory search. The inventory search disclosed an apparent aerosol can used to inflate tires, which possessed a screw-off false bottom. Bags of cocaine, bags of marijuana and $1,490 were found inside.

+ A 40-year-old white man was seen using a cell phone while driving a white pickup truck at 23rd Street and 41st Avenue. A DMV check revealed that he was operating the vehicle with a suspended license. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator, unlicensed operator and driving while using a cell phone.

+ A 27-year-old white man was observed offering $40 in exchange for sexual intercourse at 40-19 23rd St. He was charged with patronizing a prostitute.

+ A 29-year-old Hispanic man was seen driving a 2000 Honda westbound on 36th Avenue without headlights on. He was stopped after he disobeyed a steady red signal. He displayed watery eyes and had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. He refused to take a Breathalyzer test. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, a traffic violation and refusal to take a Breathalyzer test.

+ At 37th Street and Broadway two white men, 20 and 22 years old, were seen passing brass knuckles and a screwdriver from one to the other. Upon being stopped, both weapons fell out of one of the men's pockets. Both were charged with criminal possession of a weapon and possession of burglars' tools; both have prior convictions.