Police Blotter: Cabbie Punched and Robbed While Making a Drop-off on Gates Ave.

Crime is up 31 percent (42 incidents versus 32 incidents) in the 79th Precinct for the week of April 16 – April 22, compared to this same week in 2011. For the month, crime is up 13 percent (144 incidents versus 127 incidents), compared to this same 28-day period last year. And year to date, crime is up 23 percent (537 incidents versus 438 incidents), compared to this same time period last year.

Three Robberies:

On Sunday, April 15, at approximately 3:15 a.m., a cab driver was robbed on Gates Avenue, as he was dropping off a customer. According to police reports, the 45-year-old driver was dropping off a customer at 505 Gates Avenue outside of Armstrong Houses when a stranger approached him, pulled him from the car, punched him in the face, causing his nose to bleed and then robbed him of $250 in cash. The perpetrator fled inside of Armstrong Houses. Police conducted a canvas of the area, but did not find the perpetrator. The investigation is ongoing.

On Monday, April 16, at approximately 1:45 a.m., a woman was robbed of her iPhone by another woman while walking home. According to police reports, the victim, 24, says she was walking home down Marcy Avenue near Quincy Street when an unknown female approached her from behind, placed her in a chokehold and snatched her iPhone from her hand. The woman says her perpetrator was wearing a bright-green sweater with white stars. The perpetrator fled on foot eastbound on Quincy Street towards Tompkins Avenue. The investigation is ongoing.

On Monday April 16, at approximately 9:30 p.m. a man was robbed of his jewelry, reportedly worth $35,000, while walking down Tompkins Avenue. According to police reports, the 30-year-old victim was walking down Tompkins Avenue when an unknown man approached him, pulled out a black handgun, said, “Don’t move, you know what it is. Take it off!” The victim handed over his jewelry, including a Geneve Rolex watch, a custom gold chain and an earring, together worth $35,000. The thief then fled on foot. Police canvassed the area, but did not find the robber. The investigation is ongoing.

One Arrest:

On Wednesday, April 18, a man was arrested after he attempted to rob a pedestrian inside of a bodega, located at 158 Van Buren Street. According to police reports, at approximately 9:25 p.m. the perpetrator followed the victim inside of a corner bodega and then asked him for money. When the victim refused, the perp brandished a silver gun inside of his waistband, and then fled. The victim reported the incident immediately afterward. Police did a canvass of the area, found the perpetrator and arrested him.