114th Precinct Lieutenant Attacked As He Arrests Man
BY LINDA J. WILSON

Lieutenant Wade Kern, a 23-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, has been hospitalized with multiple facial fractures sustained when he was attacked by several men as he and Police Officer Joseph Morabito from the 114th Precinct tried to handcuff Edison Vera of Ridgewood early last Saturday.

At approximately 4:16 a.m., Kern and Morabito saw Vera drinking an alcoholic beverage outside the Astoria Sports Complex, 34-38 38th St. When Kern approached, Vera ran from him and tried to hide under a parked vehicle. Kern tried to pull Vera from under the vehicle and Vera fiercely resisted. As Kern and Morabito tried to get handcuffs on Vera, a lifetime parolee, several of Vera's friends attacked Kern from behind and punched and kicked the lieutenant in the face.

Anyone with information can call the 114th Detective Squad at 718-626-9334 or Crimestoppers at 646-610-6806. All information will be kept confidential, and anyone who calls Crimestoppers may be eligible for a monetary award.

"Lieutenant Kern was displaying initiative and leadership characteristics by enforcing quality of life violations in the middle of the night," 114th Precinct Commanding Officer Inspector Brian McCarthy said. "He has the respect and love of all his peers and is the type of supervisor who makes Astoria a wonderful community."

The first three search warrants executed in 2007 by police of the 114th Precinct resulted in arrests for illegal gambling, trademark counterfeiting and graffiti. Two other operations brought about arrests for fortunetelling and prostitution as well.

On Tuesday, January 9 at approximately noon, a search warrant, the first of 2007, was executed at 38-76 10th St., targeting illegal gambling. Investigative information and evidence gathered resulted in the probable cause needed for the issuance of the search warrant. As a result, one individual a 59-year-old black male, was charged with promoting gambling, possession of gambling records, possession of a gambling device and criminal possession of stolen property. In addition, evidence was confiscated including, but not limited to, gambling records, telecommunication devices and an unspecified amount of currency.

The second search warrant of 2007 was executed Friday, January 12 at approximately 5 p.m at 25-15 Broadway, targeting trademark counterfeiting. After illegally reproduced products were purchased at the location on two separate occasions, probable cause was established and Judge Fernando Camacho issued a search warrant. A 34- year-old Hispanic male and two Hispanic females 30 and 39 years old were arrested and charged with trademark counterfeiting and a number of illegally reproduced compact discs confiscated.

On Sunday, January 14 the third search warrant of 2007 was executed, this one for thecellphone of a known graffiti vandal. Five individuals were apprehended for graffiti, with two individuals having witnessed the act. One of the perpetrators admitted having graffiti information on hiscellphone. Additional intelligence resulting from execution of this search warrant will lead to additional arrests.

Four more search warrants, the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th of 2007, were executed on Thursday, January 18, commencing at approximately 4 p.m. The first search warrant was conducted at 30-23 30th Ave. for the sale of untaxed cigarettes. Two people were arrested and evidence confiscated that included cigarettes and $6,941 in U.S. currency was forfeited.

The next three search warrants were conducted at locations where stolen property was purchased for the purpose of resale. The first of the three locations was 45-07 30th Ave., where three individuals were arrested and narcotics were confiscated from the location as well. The second location was at 33-18 31st Ave., where two individuals were arrested. The third location was 26- 02 Ditmars Blvd.; two individuals were arrested as well.

After the search warrants had been executed, an additional operation was conducted targeting locations suspected of serving alcohol to underage individuals. Nine locations that had had prior incidents were tested and all failed, resulting in nine arrests. The second portion of the operation prioritized protecting and guiding the youth of Astoria, as 62 percent of the persons arrested for robbery in 2006 were under 21 years of age. The operation was intended to deliver an emphatic message to businesses that engage in illicit activity.

The 114th Precinct is making a conscious effort to fight graffiti in hopes of reducing the quality-of-life issues in the Astoria community.

On Friday, January 5 in a proactive effort to eradicate deception crimes being carried out by individuals engaging in the fortunetelling trade within the confines of the 114th Precinct, a 25- year-old white female was apprehended and charged with scheming to defraud and fortunetelling. Prostitution-prone areas of the 114th Precinct were targeted on the following day, Saturday, January 6, and five individuals were apprehended for soliciting a prostitute. The 114th Precinct will continue to make an effort to reduce this quality-of-life issue.

The operations and all seven search warrants were executed under McCarthy's direct supervision. 114th Police Precinct Blotter

Friday, January 12:

+ A 20-year-old Hispanic male was observed turning without signaling. When he was stopped at 21st Street and 29th Avenue, he was found to have a forged international license purchased in New Jersey. He was charged with forgery, possession of a forged instrument, unlicensed operator and illegal signal.

+ A 35-year-old Hispanic male was observed operating a vehicle without wearing a seatbelt. When he was stopped at 36th Avenue and 32nd Street, he was found to have a suspended license. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator, unlicensed operator and driving without a seatbelt.

+ A 21-year-old white male was observed passing a vehicle on the right. When he was stopped at 21st Street and 26th Road, he was found to have a suspended license. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator and passing a vehicle on the right.

+ A 17-year-old Hispanic male was observed lingering at 31st Avenue and 49th Street for an extended period of time for no reason and was found to have a warrant out for his arrest. He was charged with bail jumping and loitering.

+ An 18-year-old male was observed swinging a broom at a victim at Ditmars Boulevard and 31st Street. He was charged with reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a weapon and resisting arrest.

+ A 21-year-old male attempted to prevent the arrest of another person at Ditmars Boulevard and 31st Street. He was charged with obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct.

+ A 28-year-old Hispanic female was charged with criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny after she was observed stealing merchandise from 40-02 Broadway.

+ A 35-year-old white female and a 22-year-old Hispanic male were seen with an open beer in a park without permission. The female also had an active warrant out for her arrest. The two were charged with bail jumping, criminal trespass and having an open container of an alcoholic beverage in public.

Saturday, January 13:

+ An 18-year-old Hispanic male was observed swinging a metal scooter at a crowd of people at 30th Avenue and 41st Street. He was charged with reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing and disorderly conduct.

+ A 40-year-old white male was charged with running an unlicensed bottle club, unlicensed warehouse liquor storage, after-hours sale of alcoholic beverages, criminal nuisance and sale of alcohol without a license after he was found to be in charge of an establishment at 31-17 Ditmars Blvd. where alcohol was being sold after 4 a.m. without a license.

+ A 23-year-old male was charged with assault and menacing after he punched a victim at 40th Avenue and 11th Street.

+ A 25-year-old Hispanic was observed operating a vehicle without a seat belt on. When he was stopped at 36th Avenue and Crescent Street, he was found to have a suspended license.

+ A 45-year-old Asian male was observed traveling in an improper lane. When he was stopped at 21st Street and 30th Road, he was found to have a suspended license. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator, unlicensed operator and making an improper left turn.

+ Two Hispanic females 35 and 40 years old were charged with criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny after they were observed stealing merchandise from 34-37 48th St.

Sunday, January 14:

+ Six Hispanic males, two 26 years old and four others, 18, 25, 29 and 38 years old, were observed with open beers in public at 31-36 14th St. Each of the six was charged with having an open container of an alcoholic beverage in public.

+ A 51-year-old Hispanic male sold alcohol to a minor and permitted numerous persons to drink alcohol in an establishment at 31-36 14th St. that did not have a license. He was charged with unlawfully dealing with a child and criminal nuisance.

+ A 19-year-old Hispanic male was observed operating a vehicle with a loud muffler. He was stopped at 34th Avenue and 31st Street and upon further investigation, was found to be wanted on a warrant. He was charged with having an inadequate muffler.

+ A 28-year-old white female involved in a car accident at 36-09 31st St. exhibited signs of intoxication. She was charged with DWI.

+ A 37-year-old white male was observed failing to signal upon the execution of an unsafe turn. When he was stopped at Hoyt Avenue North and 31st Street, he was found to have a suspended license. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator and making an illegal signal.