The 49th Precinct has stepped up its efforts to end a wave of vehicular vandalism in response to an increased number of such crimes and has made two arrests.
Residents from throughout the 49th Precinct, several on Yates Avenue between Mace and Waring avenues, raised concerns about vehicular vandalism at a 49th Precinct Community Council meeting on Tuesday, January 26. They described a spike in car break-ins and shattered passenger side windows.
Fed up Sandra Acosta distributed fliers throughout her neighborhood and encouraged her neighbors to attend the January 26 meeting.
“My passenger side window was broken on October 27th,” Yates resident Liz Varenne said. “That was the only time it happened to me, but that was when I noticed a rash of incidents. The problem has gotten much worse, to the point where I’m scared every day to go out and see if it has happened to me again.”
It appears the vandals have used crowbars to break the glass, because metal window frames on several cars have been bent in. Many people reported that they had had nothing taken, because there had been no valuable items, such as navigation systems in the cars.
Another Yates homeowner, who asked his name be withheld, discovered on Saturday, January 23 that his passenger side window had been smashed in. Three nearby cars were also damaged.
Similar problems in Morris Park and on Pelham Parkway South were noted at the January 26 meeting.
Two arrests have already been made, Captain John Greeley of the 49th Precinct reported.
On Saturday January 23 at 2:36 a.m., Gary Adamson, a 55-year old black male from 2385 Williamsbridge Road, was arrested on Hering Avenue after he allegedly broke a passenger side window.
On Wednesday, January 27 at 3 p.m., the day after the meeting, Louis Burgos, a 41-year old male Hispanic from 1960 Loring Place, was arrested after he allegedly broke into a BMW on Pelham Parkway and Wilson Avenue.
Greeley expects the arrests to help but will continue to work with the Bronx District Attorney to target problem areas.
“This is a huge quality of life issue, so we’re really going to focus in on certain areas,” Greeley said.“We will work hand in hand with the D.A.’s office and will remain vigilant.”
Reach reporter Amanda Marinaccio at 718 742-3394 or amarinaccio@cnglocal.com
