Bedroom burglar strikes again

1. In a burglary strikingly similar to a case last week, a 47-year-old woman left her apartment at 9:40 a.m. on Jan. 13 and returned the same day at 6 p.m. only to discover someone had broken into her home at 225 W. 232nd St. 

A bedroom door at the location had been forced open and personal items and clothing were scattered around the room, but the intruder had not taken anything. 

The incident followed one at 2807 Claflin Ave. on Jan. 9, in which a 35-year-old woman returned home at 3 p.m. to a damaged front door lock and a ransacked bedroom, with nothing missing. 

Police said there were cameras installed at the second burglary location, and an investigation is ongoing. 

2. Starbucks thief

A 40-year-old woman was working on her computer inside the Starbucks at 3503 Johnson Ave. around 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 15 when she placed her pocketbook and purse on the floor, according to police. 

As she worked, an unknown male who appeared to be in his 20s reached down, said thank you and left. Shortly afterward, she looked down and discovered her items — which contained $150 in cash, $350 in gift cards and her debit cards — were missing.

The grand larceny case is open to detectives. 

3.  Repeat offender caught

On Jan. 15, police received a call about a man checking car door handles to see if they were locked. Two days later on Jan. 17, they stopped a 45-year-old male on the street outside 5660 Post Road who appeared to fit the description from the 911 call. 

Upon further investigation, they discovered the man was in possession of a GPS that a 26-year-old female had previously reported as stolen. 

Police said the man was a known recidivist in the 50th Precinct. He was arrested and charged with criminal possession of stolen property, a misdemeanor.  

4. Fake plate, real pot

On Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m., police conducting a car stop at the east corner of Fairfield Avenue and West 231st Street discovered the car’s 26-year-old driver not only had a fraudulent Maryland license plate, but was in possession of marijuana.

The man was arrested and charged with forgery and unlawful possession of marijuana. 

5. Grand larceny auto

Police said a 57-year-old man parked his tan 1991 Honda Accord opposite 100 Van Cortlandt Park South on Jan. 16 at 3:30 p.m.

When he returned to the location around 5 p.m., the car was missing. 

The grand larceny auto case is under investigation. 

Items in Police Beat are based on reports of crimes and arrests. Those arrested are not guilty unless a court convicts them. Police Beat does not include every crime in our coverage area.