Lock Your Windows, Police Warn Upper East Siders Amid Burglaries

Update, Tuesday, Aug. 25: Arrest Made In Upper East Side Apartment Burglaries

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Police are urging Upper East Side residents to lock their windows and check their rooftops and fire escapes amid a string of apartment burglaries in the neighborhood.

At least 10 burglaries were reported between July 3 and Aug. 20, in the area between East 80th and 88th streets, bounded by Lexington and East End avenues.

The suspect or suspects have entered through fire escapes and other accessible windows, the NYPD's 19th precinct wrote on Twitter.

BURGLARY ADVISORY (UPDATE):
Apartments below have been burglarized from 7/3 to present on the Upper East Side.

Suspect enters via fire escape or other accessible windows. Please ensure your windows are always locked.

If you see anyone on roofs/fire escapes 911 immediately! https://t.co/yJVWt6PXYX pic.twitter.com/3IYI3Aao1i
— NYPD 19th Precinct (@NYPD19Pct) August 24, 2020

Three of the burglaries have occurred while residents were away on vacation, the New York Post reported. One resident said jewelry and about $2,000 in cash had been taken; another had their sporting gear stolen, and a third resident said the burglars had made off with cameras.

Police have not named any suspects, but said anyone with information should call Crime Prevention Officer Anthony Nuccio at 212-452-0630.

A spate of similar burglaries were reported in the same area in December.

Through Aug. 16, 231 burglaries have been reported in the 19th precinct this year, a nearly 64 percent increase from the 141 reported in the same period last year. The total number of crime complaints has dropped, however, from 1,348 last year down to 1,238 this year — a roughly 8.2 percent decrease.