Worker Dies When Crushed By Garbage Truck
COMPILED BY LINDA J. WILSON

A 22-year-old private carting (sanitation) worker was killed in a freak accident at about 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 10. The 114th Police Precinct and the New York City Police Department Deputy Commissioner for Public Information reported that Juan Hernandez Morales of 61-08 Broadway, Woodside had parked his private sanitation truck behind a car dealership at 36th Street and Northern Boulevard in Long Island City. The vehicle slipped into gear and rolled backward, wedging Morales between the truck and a dumpster. Emergency Medical Services responded and pronounced Morales dead at the scene. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation is ongoing. According to a report in a daily newspaper, the truck is owned by Crown Container Co. of Plainview, L.I.

A disorderly conduct arrest on Wednesday, May 9 brought about the execution of the 23rd search warrant of 2007 in the 114th Police Precinct. A male arrested for disorderly conduct was found in possession of a stolen cellphone, a used spray paint can with multiple nozzles and a laptop computer.

The perpetrator was recognized to be the perpetrator on another active complaint and a search warrant was issued for the laptop computer. It was executed at about 7 p.m. under the direct supervision of 114th Precinct Commanding Officer Inspector Brian McCarthy. The search of the computer provided intelligence that will help lead to additional arrests.

On May 3, at approximately 11 p.m., again under McCarthy's direct supervision, a March Operation was conducted in the confines of the 114th Precinct. Six locations were inspected and as a result, 19 summonses and three State Liquor Authority Reports were issued. Two days later, on May 5, at approximately 2 p.m., under McCarthy's direct supervision, an Under 21 Operation was conducted in the 114th Precinct. Nine locations were tested, of which six failed. This operation was part of a "Cinco De Mayo" initiative that resulted in 46 criminal court summonses and six State Liquor Authority reports issued. A checkpoint was also conducted, yielding six summonses. These efforts were intended to deliver an emphatic message to businesses that engage in illicit activity within the confines of the 114th Precinct.

114th Precinct Blotter Highlights

Sunday, May 13:

+ At 26-44 Borough Pl., a 22-year-old white male was charged with assault after he punched a victim in the jaw.

+ At 35-34 21st St., two Hispanic females 28 and 32 years old were observed selling flowers without a vendor's license and charged as unlicensed vendors. The same charge was brought against an 18-year-old Hispanic male seen selling flowers without a vendor's license at 41st Avenue and 21st Street.

+ A 55-year-old Hispanic male was charged as an unlicensed vendor after he was observed selling ice cream without a vendor's license at 62-05 30th Ave.

+ A 14-year-old black male was charged with criminal mischief after he caused damage to a victim's vehicle window at 32-50 Vernon Blvd.

+ A 53-year-old Hispanic male was observed drinking beer in public at Shore and Ditmars Boulevards. When a summons was issued, he became irate, causing a scene, and was charged with resisting arrest, open container in public and disorderly conduct.

+ On 34th Avenue between Steinway and 38th Streets, two Hispanic males 17 and 20 years old repeatedly punched victims and then fled in a livery cab. They were charged with assault and harassment.

+ An 18-year-old Hispanic male and a 16- year-old black male were charged with criminal possession of marijuana after they were observed smoking marijuana in public at 20th Avenue and 18th Street.

Saturday, May 12:

+ A 42-year-old Hispanic male, observed inside a park at 22-42 Steinway St. past hours of operation with two bottles of beer, was unable to produce valid identification. He was charged with criminal trespass and local law violation.

+ A 33-year-old Hispanic male was charged with possession of a forged instrument, criminal mischief, assault, resisting arrest and harassment after he punched a victim, caused damage to the victim's vehicle, and was found with altered U.S. currency at 22-52 Steinway St.

+ A 42-year-old Asian male was charged with assault after he punched a victim in the neck at 32-10 56th St.

+ An 18-year-old Hispanic male was charged with criminal possession of marijuana after he was found in possession of marijuana at 49th Street and 25th Avenue.

Friday, May 11:

+ A 26-year-old black male was charged with assault and harassment at the 114th Police Precinct station house, 34-16 Astoria Blvd., after he grabbed a victim's hair, dragged her and punched her in the face.

+ A 28-year-old white male was charged with tampering with physical evidence, obstructing governmental administration and criminal possession of marijuana after he was found at Broadway and 31st Street smoking marijuana in public and was in possession of more marijuana and attempted to throw it out.

+ Two black females 19 and 21 years old were charged with criminal possession of marijuana and failure to use a designated lane after they were pulled over at 25-57 33rd St.

+ A 47-year-old white male was charged with assault and disorderly conduct after he was in a car accident on 33rd Street between 28th Avenue and Astoria Boulevard with a victim who he punched in the face.

+ A 17-year-old white male was charged with reckless endangerment after he was observed operating a vehicle on a public sidewalk at 30th Avenue and 30th Street.

+ A 12-year-old Hispanic male was charged with criminal mischief, making graffiti and possession of graffiti instruments after he put graffiti on a wall at 12-15 29th Ave. with spray paint and was found in possession of 22 spray paint cans.

+ A 45-year-old Hispanic male was charged with open container in public after he was seen drinking beer in public at 42-07 31st Ave. and upon further investigation, was found to be wanted on an active warrant.

+ Two Hispanic males 17 and 25 years old were charged with criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of marijuana after they were observed with marijuana in public at 27-07 BQE and were found in possession of a knife.