114th Precinct Cops Seize Untaxed Cigarettes
COMPILED BY LINDA J. WILSON

114th Precinct Commanding Officer Inspector Brian McCarthy has instituted proactive measures to combat property crimes, which have comprised 74 percent of overall crime in the 114th Precinct in 2007 to date. Those measures include the 14th and 15th search warrants executed in the precinct. On Tuesday, March 6, at approximately 4:10 p.m., under McCarthy's direct supervision, 114th Precinct personnel executed a search warrant after two undercover operations had been conducted at a location where known stolen property was purchased for the purpose of resale at a commercial establishment. As a result, a search warrant was issued and one arrest was made, with one individual charged with criminal possession of stolen property.

On Thursday, March 8, at approximately 7:30 p.m., again under McCarthy's direct supervision, the 15th search warrant of 2007 was executed by the 114th Precinct at 12-15 36th Ave. Intelligence indicated that two individuals at this location were selling untaxed cigarettes, which resulted in the issuance of a search warrant. The two individuals were arrested and additional evidence, including contraband, was collected at the scene. The charges included criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of marijuana, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia and possession and sale of untaxed cigarettes.

On Wednesday, March 7, 114th Precinct personnel and the Police Department Intelligence Division carried out a joint operation that resulted in the interdiction of a shipment of untaxed cigarettes, a vehicle processed for forfeiture and two corresponding arrests. Further investigation and surveillance led to the apprehension of the supplier with the intent to distribute untaxed cigarettes.

On Thursday, March 8, a joint operation was conducted with members of PSA 9 in an effort to address robberies, grand larcenies and violent crime occurring in and around the Astoria Housing Development. As a result of this operation, in addition to PSA 9 activity, 114th Precinct personnel effected one misdemeanor arrest, 12 vertical patrols and seven "stop, question, and frisk" reports and issued two criminal court summonses. All those arrested were debriefed by the 114th Detective Squad. 114th Police Precinct Blotter

Monday, March 12:

+ A 21-year-old Hispanic male inside 552 Main St., Roosevelt Island without permission yelled profanities at a victim. He was charged with menacing, harassment and disorderly conduct.

+ A 17-year-old Hispanic male seen dropping a gravity knife at 10th Street and 38th Avenue was charged with criminal possession of a weapon.

+ A 19-year-old black male seen at 38th Avenue and 10th Street wearing a bandanna covering half his face and also in possession of a gravity knife was charged with criminal possession of a weapon.

+ A 49-year-old white male harassed and annoyed and used offensive language against a victim at 24-15 28th St. and on arrest, was found in possession of a crack pipe. He was charged with criminal use of drug paraphernalia, criminal possession of a controlled substance, harassment and disorderly conduct

+ A 25-year-old Hispanic male was observed using a cellphone while driving a vehicle. When he was stopped at Broadway and 35th Street, he was found to have a suspended license. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator and driving while using a cellphone.

+ A 26-year-old Hispanic male was observed making an illegal u-turn. When he was stopped at 35-01 30th Ave., he was found to have a suspended license. He was charged with criminal impersonation, unlicensed operator, making an illegal u-turn and failure to appear for a ticket.

Tuesday, March 13:

+ At 22-58 31st St., a 41-year-old white male forcibly entered a victim's vehicle and removed property without permission. He was also found in possession of a screwdriver. He was charged with criminal mischief, unauthorized use of a vehicle, criminal possession of stolen property, possession of burglar's tools and petit larceny.

+ Two white males 18 and 20 years old were observed at 27-03 Ditmars Blvd. smoking marijuana and were also found in possession of marijuana. They were charged with criminal possession of marijuana.

+ A 40-year-old white male was charged with menacing, criminal possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct after he threatened to strike a victim with a metal beam. The incident took place at 33-10 28th Ave.

+ A 19-year-old white male was charged with criminal possession of marijuana and illegally signaling after he was observed with marijuana in public at 21st Avenue and 19th Street.

+ A 24-year-old Hispanic male was observed operating a vehicle with a defective brake light. When he was stopped at Astoria Boulevard and 21st Street, he did not have a license. He was charged with unlicensed operator.

Wednesday, March 14:

+ A 23-year-old white male was charged with criminal mischief after he punched the front door of a building at Astoria Boulevard and 31st Street, causing the glass door to shatter.

+ At 21-13 29th Ave., a 24-year-old Hispanic male slapped a victim and struck the same victim in the mouth with his forehead. He was charged with assault.

+ A 56-year-old Hispanic female was arrested at the 114th Police Precinct station house at 34-16 Astoria Blvd. and charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon and menacing after she requested and allowed another person to physically harm children with a belt.

+ A 35-year-old Asian male was charged with grand larceny after he offered a victim a valid visa and received $3,500 for it at 33-10 28 Ave., but after receiving the money, refused to speak to the victim.

+ At Broadway and 48th Street a 44-yearold white male was involved in a verbal dispute which led to a physical altercation with two black females 17 and 18 years old and an 18-year-old Hispanic female. All four were charged with assault and harassment.

+ A 41-year-old Hispanic male was charged with aggravated harassment after he called a victim, who he threatened to stab and kill. The incident took place at 78-16 19th Rd.

+ A 19-year-old Hispanic male was found inside a park at Shore Boulevard and 21st Avenue past hours of operation and upon further investigation, was found to be wanted on a warrant and in possession of a knife. He was charged with bail jumping, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal trespassing.

+ A 17-year-old Hispanic male was observed inside a closed park at Crescent Street and 36th Avenue despite the fact that the stated hours of operation were posted on several signs. He was charged with criminal trespass and resisting arrest.

+ A 28-year-old Hispanic male was observed impeding traffic by driving excessively slowly. When he was stopped at Steinway Street and 36th Avenue, he was unable to produce a license and exhibited signs of intoxication. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator, DWI, unlicensed operator and impeding traffic.

+ A 31-year-old Hispanic male was involved in a car accident at 34-46 Crescent St. and was found to have a suspended license. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator and unlicensed operator.

+ A 32-year-old Asian male was observed operating a vehicle with no brake lights. When he was stopped at 28th Avenue and Steinway Street, he was found to have a suspended license. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator, inadequate or no stop lamps and unlicensed operator.