Upper East Side Burglar Arrested For Groping Sunbather: Police

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A man wanted in connection with several burglaries on the Upper East Side was arrested Wednesday afternoon near Carl Schurz Park, police told Patch.

Thomas Cronin, 53, was arrested after he allegedly groped a sunbather in Carl Schurz Park, police said. The victim, a 45-year-old woman, screamed at Cronin, which captured the attention of off-duty police officer Eric Sullivan. Sullivan chased Cronin out of the park and called for backup, police said.

Cronin was able to lose Sullivan around East 91st Street and 1st Avenue, but officers continued to canvass the area, police said. Cronin was later arrested when he returned to the park to retrieve his bicycle, police said.

It was later discovered that Cronin was wanted in connection with seven burglaries and four attempted burglaries committed in June, police said. Most of the burglaries were committed on the Upper East Side, police said.

Cronin has been charged with 11 counts of burglary, one count of forcible touching and one count of third-degree sex abuse.