Police Beat

Vitamin thief swiftly stopped

Posted

One young fellow may have been suffering from some sort of vitamin deficiency — and possibly also a deficiency of funds to pay for them, or simply no desire to shell out.

A security guard at the Kingsbridge Rite Aid at 5825 Broadway near West 238th Street told police he spotted a young man stroll into the store before slipping numerous items inside the backpack he was toting, around 3:30 p.m., Jan. 28. Rather than pay for the goods, however, the guy reportedly walked straight past the cash register and out onto the street.

He didn’t get far, however, because the security guard hustled after the allegedly sneaky thief, stopping him outside the store and calling the police.

It was there they discovered the 19-year-old had stuffed a couple containers of vitamins,  into his backpack.

He was arrested and charged with petty larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

 

Parked Benz banged up, scratched

It seems when criminals aren’t driving off in stolen cars — or removing and absconding with their rims and tires — they’re doing mischievous things to them.

A 54-year-old told police he parked his black 2010 Mercedes Benz way out on the eastern edge of the 50th Precinct, at East 233rd Street and Jerome Avenue, around 3:30 p.m., Jan. 29, but returned very early the next morning to discover an unpleasant surprise — someone had smashed his rear passenger-side window.

The mystery Benz damager also rummaged through the car, which along with its broken window, suffered scratches to at least one door, according to a report. Nothing, however, was taken from the vehicle.

All told, the damage amounted to less than $250.

Police are keeping an eye out for the Mercedes smasher.

Police Beat, Zak Kostro