Police nabbed a City Island ruffian and alleged drug dealer twice last month. On Wednesday, May 13, Frank Bequiraj, 19, was arrested for assault. Two days later, Bequiraj was hauled in for selling marijuana, possessing a weapon, trespassing, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer, court records show. The Pickwick Terrace resident, released for $1,000 bail, pled not guilty on May 14 and May 16. He will next appear in court on June 11 and July 6.
On April 8, Bequiraj was arrested in Throggs Neck for disorderly conduct, pled guilty and earned five days in jail. On May 11, 2008, he was arrested on Winters Street for disorderly conduct. On January 6, 2008, he was arrested for disorderly conduct on Pelham Parkway.
Bequiraj’s antics have disturbed City Islanders who harbor concern for the seaside neighborhood. Drug use is on the rise, heroin included. There have been three fatal overdoses in the past year on City Island.
“City Island is so small and secluded,” City Island Civic Association president Bill Stanton said. “It doesn’t take a lot of bad apples to ruin the barrel. Half a dozen bad kids could mean the tipping point for City Island.”
The May 15 arrest took place at 109 Fordham Street, at 7:30 p.m. A police officer found the City Island teen inside a shed that belongs to Richard Fitzpatrick. According to the officer, Carlos Martinez, Bequiraj fought arrest, punching Martinez. On May 13, Bequiraj allegedly punched a civilian in the face.
“It’s good news that the arrests were made,” Stanton said. “[Bequiraj] is a bully. We need to keep an eye on him. City Islanders are polite. We don’t like to point fingers. But if [Bequiraj] is selling drugs, we need to report him.”
On May 15, Martinez observed Bequiraj exchange a clear plastic bag containing marijuana for cash. Martinez, who suffered a sprained wrist during the struggle, chased after Bequiraj to make the arrest. The 45th Precinct is working in tandem with the Bronx narcotics unit to combat drug use on City Island, officer Mike O’Connor said.
