Scams Noted, Warrants Executed In 114th Precinct

Area residents are urged to be wary of tricksters playing confidence games in the 114th Police Precinct. On Thursday, May 11, a complainant walked into the precinct on Astoria Boulevard South and 34th Street, stating she was approached by someone who was asking for help in finding an address. This person then offered the victim a winning lottery ticket in exchange for money and jewelry. The victim gave this person $580 in currency and approximately $30,000 in jewelry. In return, she was given a bag that turned out to be full of paper. She later discovered the lottery ticket was a fraud.

Another victim told police that on April 27 at about 10:30 a.m. he had received a telephone call from a man calling himself Mr. Rogers and who said he was a police officer. The "police officer" stated that someone had charged two tickets in the victim's name and he needed information to confirm. The victim provided the "officer" with his credit card and Social Security numbers, date of birth, mother's maiden name, license number and the name and address of his employer.

The "officer" told the victim he was going to check the information for his credit card on the computer. Later that day, the victim realized $1,859 had been taken from his account.

114th Precinct Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Brian McCarthy would like to make people aware of the scams and urges everyone to exercise caution. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't, police advise. They further advise anyone called or approached not to cooperate

with the con artist, but to call 911.

Police of the 114th Precinct executed the 10th and 11th search warrants of 2006, both in the Queensbridge Housing Development and both with the assistance of officers assigned to Police Service Area (PSA) 9. On Thursday, May 4 at approximately 4 p.m., under the direct supervision of Deputy Inspector Brian McCarthy, a search warrant was jointly executed with PSA 9 at Apartment 5E at 41-05 Vernon Blvd. Investigation had targeted the sale of untaxed cigarettes from the apartment. Two controlled buys took place and these purchases formed the probable cause needed to obtain the search warrant. The search warrant yielded two arrests and the seizure of 146 boxes of Newport cigarettes and $77.

On Thursday, May 11 at approximately 6:30 a.m., under the direct supervision of Deputy Inspector McCarthy, search warrants were simultaneously executed at Apartments 2D and 2E at 41-14 10th St. jointly with PSA 9. Investigation targeted a suspected marijuana operation from this dual access apartment and a search warrant was obtained from Judge Gene R. Lopez on May 8. The search warrants yielded three arrests and the seizure of $293, approximately 5 ounces of marijuana, a scale, packaging material and various ammunition.

A search warrant was executed and a suspect arrested on Monday, April 17 at approximately 8:30 a.m., again under the direct supervision of Deputy Inspector McCarthy, at 40-70 Hampton St., Apartment 3A, Jackson Heights. Kevin (a/k/a Toon84) Varela, a 20-year-old Hispanic man, was alleged to have vandalized approximately 72 documented locations in multiple Patrol Borough Queens North commands. Media storage data, clothing damaged by paint, permanent markers and photographs of one of the graffiti vandal's tag were found in the apartment and seized. He was charged with one count of criminal mischief in the fourth degree and one count of making graffiti. Varela was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Alex J. Zigman, who set bail at $2,000 and ordered a return date of May 17. Graffiti is considered a significant priority within both the Astoria community and the Police Department Quality-of-Life program.

114th Police Precinct:

Monday, May 8:

+A white, 41-year-old male was engaged in an argument with a defendant at 4-05 26th Ave. The defendant then punched complainant in the left eye resulting in a laceration. The defendant was charged with assault with the intent to cause physical injury and harassment.

+A 57-year-old white male sold property to a complainant, entering the premises and changing the locks at 28-19 56th Pl. and was charged with criminal trespass.

+A checkpoint was conducted at 31st Street and Broadway. Upon conducting the car stop, it was found the 40-year-old black male's driver's license status was suspended. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator.

Tuesday, May 9:

+A 31-year-old white male entered a complainant's garage at 32-43 46th St. without permission or authority and refused to leave. Due to the defendant's behavior, the complainant left garage in fear and called police. Defendant had a bag of methamphetamine in his pocket and was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal trespass.

+Three males; a 48-year-old Asian, and a 44year-old and 34-year-old Hispanic were stopped at 31st Street and Broadway. A license check revealed the defendants to be separately operating the vehicle with suspended licenses and were charged with aggravated unlicensed operators.

+A black 40-year-old male was observed obstructing pedestrian traffic at 12-01 34th Ave. and was evasive upon questioning. The defendant began to yell causing a scene and was found to have a vial of crack and a modified razor in his coat pocket. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance and disorderly conduct.

+At 25-38 43rd St. a white 25 year-old female took a cell phone without permission and then threw a radio at the complainant. The radio broke against the wall. The defendant was charged with criminal mischief, criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny, menacing and harassment.

+A 27-year-old Hispanic female slapped the complainant in the face, and then demanded the victim's phone forcibly removing it from the victim's belt at 32-51 30th St. The defendant was charged with robbery, assault with the intent to cause physical injury, and criminal possession of stolen property.

+Two male defendants, 23-year-old black and 21-year old white were in their vehicle at 24th Avenue and 28th Street. One of them was observed driving without seat belt. Acar stop was conducted and upon further investigation, the vehicle plates came back in the computer as stolen. They were charged with criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny and driving without a seat belt.

Wednesday, May 10:

+Three males, a white 30-year-old, and one 23-years-old Asian was found to have marijuana cigarettes in public view at Steinway and 30th Avenue and charged with criminal possession of marijuana.

+At 21st Avenue and 24th Street a 24-year-old Hispanic male was observed in public with an open bottle of "Bud Ice" in violation of a local law

+A 29-year-old male did grab a victim's arm refusing to let her leave location sustaining bruising on her left forearm at 9-15 27th Ave. He was charged with assault with the intent to cause physical injury and harassment

+A 46-year-old Hispanic female was observed by the store manager at 31-63 Steinway St. opening the packaging of an MP3 player and placing in her purse. She was charged with petit larceny.

+A black 28-year-old male defendant was observed making an improper left turn at Broadway and 31st Street. Upon car stop, the defendant was found to be driving with a suspended license. The charge was aggravated unlicensed operator and improper left turn.

+At 31 Street and Broadway a 20-year-old male was observed making a left turn on red and a car stop was conducted. Upon further investigation, the driver's license had been revoked. The driver was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator, unlicensed operator and failure to obey traffic device.

+A 25-year-old white male was observed obstructing traffic at 12th Street and Astoria Boulevard and upon conducting car stop, the driver's license was found to be revoked. The driver was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator, violation of a local law and unlicensed operator.

+A 27-year-old white male, at 34-28 38th St. was in a dispute with a victim. He slapped the victim across the face causing the complainant's lip to swell and bleed and was charged with assault with the intent to cause physical injury.

Thursday, May 11:

+Two Hispanic males, ages 36 and 37, had marijuana cigarettes in public view at 31st Street and 37th Avenue and were charged with criminal possession of marijuana.

+A30-year-old Asian male was observed making an illegal left turn from the far right lane. Upon car stop, the driver's license was found to be suspended. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator and illegal signal.

+A 26-year-old Hispanic male, while during a dispute with the complainant at 34-16 Astoria Blvd, did punch and kick the complainant causing a laceration to her chin and bruising to her face. He was charged with assault with the intent to cause physical injury and harassment

+At 38-12 Broadway, a 20-year-old white male was observed driving while using a cell phone. A car stop was conducted at which time it was found that the driver's license was suspended. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator and using cell phone while driving.

+A 37-year-old Hispanic female was observed taking a Brita Water Filter pitcher from a display at 34-41 48th St. and placing it in a plastic bag.

The defendant then left store without paying and was charged with criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny.

Friday, May 12:

+At 555 Main St. an 18-year-old Hispanic male was observed in the rear of the location with marijuana. The charge was for criminal possession of marijuana.

+Two males, a 52-year-old black and a 48year-old Asian were observed at 36-22 14th St. inside of flatbed truck that did not belong to them without permission from the owner. The defendants had open containers of alcohol. One of the defendants had a screwdriver in his possession. They were charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, and violation of a local law and one defendant was charged with possession of burglar's tools.

+A 38-year-old black male was observed sleeping behind the wheel of his vehicle at a green light while the car was running at Broadway and Vernon Boulevard. Upon approaching the vehicle, a can of beer was in between the defendant's legs and three more cans were observed on the passenger side floor. The defendant had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, blood shot eyes, slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet. A gravity knife was also visible on top of the center console. The defendant was removed from the vehicle and taken for a breathalyzer test where he was charged with DWI, criminal possession of weapon and drinking alcohol in vehicle while on the highway.

+A 38-year-old Asian male defendant was involved in a car accident at 42nd Street and 19th

Avenue and upon further investigation it was found his license was suspended. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator and unlicensed operator.

+A 41-year-old white male was a openly yelling and cursing on a public street that caused a group to gather at 35-15 Broadway. The defendant resisted being placed under arrest and was found to be in possession of cocaine, He was charged with escape, criminal possession of a controlled substance and disorderly conduct.

+At 48th Street and Broadway a 28-year-old Hispanic male was observed sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle rolling a marijuana cigarette in public view. The charge was criminal possession of marijuana.

+A 31-year-old white male defendant was observed making a u-turn in a business district at 35-05 Broadway and upon car stop was unable to produce a license. The defendant was also found to be in possession of a New York City Police Department parking plate without permission or authority and was charged with forgery, possession of a forged instrument, violation of a local law and unlicensed operator.

+A white 37-year-old male was observed making two turns without signaling at 36th Street and 24th Avenue and upon car stop it was found that the defendant was driving with a suspended license. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator, operating a vehicle without insurance and illegal signal.