By Thomas Tracy
CHURCH RAIDED: Thieves broke into Sacred Heart Saint Stephen Church on Carroll Street last week, pilfering money from collection boxes meant for the poor. Police from the 76th Precinct said that the thieves entered the church, 108 Carroll Street, sometime between 4:30 p.m. on February 13 and 8:15 a.m. the following morning. Thieves entered the house of worship by breaking through a basement window, officials said. Police believe that the suspect found his way upstairs to the church, where he broke open a number of donation boxes. An undetermined amount of money was taken, officials said. After removing the money, the thief spirited out the back, jumping a fence that faces Hicks Street, officials said. Cops are currently looking for the thief. Anyone with information about this person is being urged to call the 76th Precinct at (718) 834-3211. All calls will be kept confidential. *** THREE NABBED IN GUNPOINT HOLD-UP: Three men were arrested in the Gowanus Houses last week for allegedly robbing a 21-year-old at gunpoint, officials alleged. Police said that 19-year-old Noel Lugo, 18-year-old Louis Garcia and 25-year-old Anthony Mercardo were all taken into custody following the robbery, which took place inside the lobby of a building on the 100 block of Bond Street. The victim told police that he was walking through the lobby just after 4 a.m. when three thugs allegedly stopped him. One of the men pulled a gun and robbed him of his earrings, valued at $5,000, cell phone, sunglasses and $53 in cash. After a brief investigation, Police Officer Ronnie Holmes of the 76th Precinct tracked down and arrested the three suspects, charging them with robbery. *** ESCAPING WITH EQUIPMENT: Over $1,350 in tools and equipment were taken from a Sackett Street home under construction, officials said. Police said that thieves entered the building sometime between 4 p.m. on February 15 and 8:30 a.m. the following morning. Thieves managed to circumvent a door leading to the basement, where they found an ample supply of saws, drills and screw guns, officials said. *** YOU BETTER DO WHAT SIMON SAYS WHEN SIMON HAS A GUN: A worker at a downtown Brooklyn gas station was forced to hand over his property – including his pants – at gunpoint during a rather embarrassing mugging on February 8. Officials said that in a bizarre twist, the gun-toting motorist robbing the gas station attendant ordered his victim to get in the SUV with him and drove him around for a short time before dumping him out of the car near Flatbush Avenue. The victim told police that he was working in the gas station at the corner of 3rd Avenue and 13th Street at 3:45 a.m. when a blue Honda SUV rolled by the pumps. That’s when the suspect, described as a Hispanic male, pulled a gun on him, saying simply, “Do what I tell you.” The gunman put the victim through the ringer, demanding his wallet, pants and watch before ordering him into his vehicle. After a brief drive, the suspect dropped his handcuffed victim near Flatbush Avenue, officials said. The victim, police said, was not seriously harmed. Cops are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward. Calls can be made to the 78th Precinct at (718) 636-6411. All calls will be kept confidential.
