Crime Watch UES 03.21.24

Teenager Struck on Street by Intoxicated Man

According to police, at 10:40 p.m. on March 12, a 15-year-old male youth was walking on East 85th St. when he saw a 30-year-old man walking toward him giving him “strange looks.” The youth thought the man seemed intoxicated. Then in front of 300 East 85th St. near Second Ave. the teen asked the man if he needed help because the man kept looking at him. The man replied, “It’s New York. I can stare at you.” The man then hit the teen with a closed fist, causing injury to the victim’s right eye and breaking his reading glasses. A bodega worker saw the commotion and pulled the victim into his store, where the teen refused medical attention. His mother later called 911 to file the police report.

Man Arrested in Attempted Moped Theft

A 28-year-old man told police that at 9:55 a.m. on March 6, he left his black 2023 Jiajue moped at the Shell gas station at First Ave. and East 96th St. while he went to withdraw money. As he was walking back to the gas station he saw a 32-year-old man walking away with his moped. The 28-year-old confronted the suspect, who brandished a sharp object in his direction, causing him fear and alarm. The suspect then fled westbound, leaving the moped in front of 306 East 96th St. near Second Ave. Nelson Reyes was soon arrested at Third Ave. and East 104th St. and charged with robbery. The moped stolen and recovered was valued at $900.

Woman’s SUV Stolen While She Got Coffee

A 43-year-old woman from Queens stated that at 9:50 p.m. on March 6, she parked her blue 2018 Toyota RAV4 in front of 1665 First Ave. at East 87th St. while she bought coffee at a deli. When she came out just five minutes later she found her car was gone. GPS tracking located the vehicle at 131 West 138th St. near Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., where it was recovered. Unfortunately, valuable belongings had been stolen from inside the car, including a yellow gold chain, a yellow gold pendant, a pair of earrings and a black Samsung phone totaling $18,300. The value of the stolen and recovered RAV4 amounted to $18,000.

Young Man Victimized in DEA Phone Scam

A 31-year-old man living on East 87th St. reported that at 11:59 a.m. on March 5, he received a phone call from someone claiming to be Henry Blake, a Federal agent with the DEA, stating that the 31-year-old was under investigation for narcotics crimes, having allegedly opened 12 accounts with $7.4 million. The caller said the agency believed that the 31-year-old might be a victim and if he sent money from an account other than those 12 he could clear himself. Sadly, the young man complied and bought nine gift cards totaling $4,500, giving the codes to the caller before realizing that he had been scammed.

Man Steals Three $1,000 Sweaters from Ralph Lauren

A 33-year-old male employee of the Ralph Lauren store at 867 Madison Ave. at East 72nd St. told police that at 3:48 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, a 40-year-old man entered the store, removed three sweaters from a display, and left the location without paying, fleeing southbound on Madison on foot. The stolen garments included three Purple Label sweaters totaling $2,985.