Neighbors On Edge As Search Continues For Queens Serial Burglary Suspect
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Some homeowners in Queens remained on high alert Sunday morning as a serial burglar remained on the loose.
As CBS2's Magdalena Doris reported, the suspect has struck seven times so far, and he has finally been caught on camera.
Neighbors in Bayside, Queens said they are on the lookout for the serial burglar, who police said most recently stole $20,000 from a home on Gladwin Avenue.
Police late Saturday released a photo of the suspect, who has been connected to burglaries in Auburndale, Hillcrest, and Bayside Hills, Queens. Police said the suspect has gained easy access to the homes by checking for unlocked windows or back doors.
The burglaries happened at the following times and locations:
• At 11:43 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, the suspect got into the home of a 62-year-old man near 161st Street and the Grand Central Parkway through the front window, and took assorted electronics and cash, police said. The suspect fled through the back door, police said.
• Around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, the suspect entered the home of a 35-year-old woman near 50th Avenue and Utopia Parkway through a back door, and took wrist watches and handbags, police said. The suspect also fled through the back door, police said.
• Around 7 p.m. Friday, April 1, the suspect got into the home of a 73-year-old woman near 56th Avenue and 208th Street through a back window, and took assorted jewelry, police said. The suspect got out through a side door, police said.
• around 5:30 a.m. Sunday, April 17, the suspect entered the home of a 45-year-old man at an unspecified location in the 107th Precinct through a side door, and took jewelry and a laptop, police said. The suspect fled through a side door, police said.
• Around 9 a.m. Friday, April 29, the suspect got into a 54-year-old man's home near 50th Avenue and 212th Street through a rear window, and took jewelry and handbags, police said. The suspect ran off in an unknown direction, police said.
• Around 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, the suspect got into the home of a 47-year-old woman near 196th Street and 47th Avenue through a side door and took jewelry and a laptop, police said. The suspect fled through the back door, police said.
• Around 7:45 a.m. Thursday, May 5, the suspect got into a 50-year-old man's home near Gladwin Avenue and Utopia Parkway and took jewelry, police said. He fled through the rear window, police said.
Neighbors said they are spreading the word and changing their own behaviors.
"I was a person who always left my living room window open; get fresh air – not anymore, no," said Selveta Djokic of Bayside. "It's a shame."
Anyone with information was asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS or (888) 57-PISTA for Spanish, log onto the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.
