NYPD: Man Enters Building Through Fire Escape, Steals Thousands In Meds, Electronics
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NYPD is searching for a suspect in connection to a set of apartment burglaries on the Upper East Side.
On Monday morning, the suspect used a rear fire escape to enter a building on East 81st Street between East End and York avenues. Once inside, the man stole $1,765 in electronics, jewelry, clothing and personal documents, according to police.
An hour later, the suspect entered the adjoining building to the complex, again using a rear fire escape, where he stole two laptop computers and prescription medication -- valued at a total of $2,500, according to police.
The suspect then fled west toward York Avenue on foot. Both robberies occurred between 7:45 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Monday, according to police.
Many residents are on edge.
"I do feel really safe in this neighborhood, so to hear that something like that happened is really terrifying and I hope that it doesn't happen again," resident Lia Sanfelippo told CBS2.
"I feel a little bit nervous, I thought the Upper east Side was super safe, but definitely taking extra precautions," resident Alissa Komensky said.
Video surveillance released by the NYPD shows the suspect as wearing a black sweatshirt or jacket, camouflage pants and white sneakers. He we was carrying a green duffel bag and a black backpack.
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS, log onto the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.