Would-Be Windsor Terrace Burglar Caught Red-Handed

Police in the 72nd Precinct captured a burglar who had been menacing Park Slope and Windsor Terrace for weeks.

On April 5, police arrested a 24-year-old man as he forced entry into a Windsor Terrace apartment. The perp had been under investigation by cops in the 78th Precinct for , in which he stole nearly $9,000 in jewelry.

Officer Dean Hanan, who handles community affairs for the 72nd Precinct, said the arrest went down after the precinct received a call that a burglary was in progress in Windsor Terrace near the Park Slope border. Police arrived at the scene and chased the perp over a series of rooftops before eventually collaring him. 

After the arrest, Hanan said, police from the 78th Precinct came to see whether the perp was indeed the one they'd been tracking. It was. 

The arrested suspect has since been charged with two counts of burglary and the jeweled possessions, including a diamond and sapphire ring and a gold necklace, were recovered at a local pawnshop.

“The impact this arrest has made is big, we believe he is responsible for multiple burglaries in this area,” said the Cpt. Michael Ameri of the 78th Precinct, explaining that the burglar arrested on April 5 is believed to have burglarized other apartments in the area between 4th and Sixth avenues from 3rd to 9th streets.

Ameri explained that in most cases, crooks are gaining entry to people’s homes by climbing through unlocked or open back windows of apartments and fire escape windows. They are also forcing open inadequate locks (mostly front doors) and front doors left open or unsecured. 

Ameri said that there are a few simple tips to keep your house and belongings safe:

• Make sure all windows and doors are locked and secured.
• Install and lock secondary locks.
• Do not leave your electronics (laptops, iPods, etc.) near windows in plain view.
• Install only FDNY approved safety gates on fire escape or ground level windows.

Police from the 72nd Precinct were not immediately available for comment.