By Thomas Tracy
TWO INJURED IN HEIST: Two men were held up at gunpoint inside of a Fulton Street nail salon, officials said last week. Police said that the victims, ages 32 and 46, were inside the salon, located on the 500 block of Fulton Street just after 6 p.m. on January 14 when two men came in pulling guns. The suspects demanded the victims’ property. When they hesitated, the suspects cracked both men over the head with their weapons, said officials. Both men sustained head injuries. The thieves ran off with $600 in receipts as well as two bags of CDs and DVDs. Paramedics rushed one of the victims to Long Island College Hospital. The other victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital, said police. Cops are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward. Calls can be made to the 84th Precinct at (718) 875-6811. All calls will be kept confidential. *** SECRET ENTRANCE: A burglar made his own entrance to a State Street home last week, burrowing a hole through the victim’s closet. The victim, 61, told police that he was called to his home, located on the 400 block of State Street at about 6:45 p.m. after a neighbor found his door open. When the victim returned home, he realized that someone had “broken out” of his closet, said police. His $120 Sony radio was taken, officials said. Police are investigating. *** JEWELER JUMP: A worker at Magio’s Jewelers at 573 Fulton Street was attacked last week during an argument with two customers. Police said that the suspects, who are still at large, came into the store just before 7 p.m. on January 12 and began arguing with their 24-year-old victim. As the argument heated up, one of the suspects punched the victim in the face. The other suspect threw a chair at the victim before both men ran out. The 24-year-old sustained a cut to his head, officials said. Cops are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward. Calls can be made to the 84th Precinct at (718) 875-6811. All calls will be kept confidential. *** ATTACKED ON FLATBUSH: A 19-year-old man told cops that he was jumped for no reason in front of 85 Flatbush Avenue, near Ashland Place officials said last week. The victim said that he was on his way home at 10:30 p.m. on January 12 when three unidentified black males jumped him. The victim managed to run away, not realizing until he got home that he sustained a deep cut to the back of his neck. Police were told that two of the suspects in the attack were wearing red shirts, although it is unclear if this incident can be attributed to the Blood street gang, who are known to sport red colors. Cops are investigating. *** COPS COLLAR COUNTERFEITERS: A counterfeiting ring specializing in knock-off name brand handbags, sunglasses and umbrellas was smashed apart last week as cops raided their Park Slope base of operations. Police from the 78th Precinct said that five people were arrested and over $250,000 worth of merchandise was seized during the raid, which took place at about 6 p.m. on January 17. Officials said that members of the precinct’s Anti-crime team were on patrol in the area when they spotted a man lugging a supply of counterfeit items on 11th Street between 2nd and 3rd avenues. The officers stopped the man, who reportedly gave up the spot where he re-supplies his stock. Cops raided the location, 117 11th Street, where they found the five suspects, as well a 5,000 faux designer label handbags, wallets, sunglasses, hats and umbrellas. Those taken into custody included Yaser Alvarado, Santos Martinez, Lais Alexandra, Juan Rodriguez and Alejandro Vazquez. Credited for the arrest included Sergeant Jeremy Jeske and Police Officers Julio Franco, Paul Farella and Steve Sposito. *** BAD DAY FOR BURGLAR: Last Friday the 13th proved very unlucky for a local man charged with breaking into a Court Street building. Officials said that the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Eloy Sanchez, allegedly used a utility knife to cut through a metal window vent that took him into the basement of the building, located on the 250 block of Court Street. Sanchez allegedly took a television, space heater and an area rug from the building, but was quickly apprehended by Police Officer Daniel Bonilla. The arrest, officials said, took place at 8 a.m. Officials speculated that he was apprehended in the street probably because he apparently appeared suspicious carrying a television, space heater with an area rug slung over his shoulder. Cops charged Sanchez with burglary. *** COPS: HELP CLEAN UP GRAFFITI WHILE EARNING SOME GREEN: As the ongoing war against graffiti vandals continues, cops are now offering up to $500 in reward money to anyone who can offer them information that can lead them to anyone who commits graffiti vandalism. The hefty reward is part of the city’s new push to rid New York of graffiti vandals. Graffiti is one of the leading quality of life complaints brought to police. Officials said that cleaning up graffiti is essential to the plan, to show that the community is no longer going to tolerate marred and tagged-up walls and street corners. According to police there is a perception that if a community will tolerate graffiti, they will tolerate other criminal activities, such as drug dealing and prostitution. Anyone with information about graffiti vandalism is urged to contact either 311 or 911. *** BAD DAY FOR BURGLAR:Friday the 13th proved very unlucky for a local man charged with breaking into a Court Street building. Officials said that the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Eloy Sanchez, allegedly used a utility knife to cut through a metal window vent that took him into the basement on the 250 block of Court Street. Sanchez allegedly took a television, space heater and an area rug from the building, but was quickly apprehended by Police Officer Daniel Bonilla. The arrest, officials said, took place at 8 a.m. Officials speculated that he was apprehended in the street probably because he apparently appeared suspicious carrying a television, space heater with an area rug slung over his shoulder. Cops charged Sanchez with burglary. *** TOYING AROUND: A 28-year-old man was taken into custody last week for trying to rob another man with an imitation pistol, alleged police. Officials allege that Michael Zocco approached his 26-year-old victim at the corner of Court Street and 1st Place on January 7, demanding his wallet. Zocco reportedly ran off in the middle of the robbery only to be pocked up by Police Officer Adnan Moshin of the 76th Precinct Anti Crime Unit. As cops patted Zocco down, they found the silver plated imitation pistol that was allegedly used in the heist. Cops charged Zocco with attempted robbery.
