NYPD: Man Uses Fire Escapes To Break Into 5 Apartments In Queens
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are looking for a man they said has broken into five apartments in Queens since December.
In each case, police said the suspect used fire escapes to get into apartments in Forest Hills and Rego Park. He made off with cash, jewelry and electronics.
Andres Tedesco told CBS2's Hazel Sanchez that he knows the suspect broke into his apartment on Saunders Avenue on Feb. 8 because the grocery bag and loot the man is carrying in the surveillance video belongs to him.
"He took two computers, some of my girlfriend's cameras and unreplaceable jewelries," Tedesco said.
Police said the burglar scaled up the fire escape to the third floor and forced open Tedesco's bathroom window.
Tedesco isn't the only tenant in the building that was burglarized by the same man.
Chris Wu said his apartment was broken into while he was out shopping with his wife on New Year's Eve. The suspect got in through a kitchen window and rummaged through Wu's bedroom.
"We looked at her dresser and it was completely rummaged through and that's when we freaked out," Wu told 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria. "We hope they catch him because obviously he's super bold and keeps coming back."
Police believe the same suspect is responsible for at least five break-ins in the Rego Park area and he's been breaking into most of the apartments during daylight hours.
"It was definitely very violating. Definitely we still live with a heightened sense of awareness," Wu told CBS2.
The NYPD has released surveillance video of the suspect.
Police do have evidence that could directly link the suspect to one of the burglaries because he left his hat at the crime scene.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, visit the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.
