2 break-ins on 7th Street

Late this past Saturday, someone broke into two neighboring businesses along Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

As EVG contributor Stacie Joy reports, the thief broke into Peter Jarema Funeral Home, where he trashed the office and made off with several iPads and laptops. 

As Danny Buzzetta, Jarema's owner/director, notes, they're not a cash business.

Meanwhile, at Ruffian Wine Bar, the thief took cash, electronic items and personal stuff, per partner/co-owner Patrick Cournot ...

Ruffian had released a montage on Instagram Stories of the suspect from surveillance footage ...

In more positive developments: Fawzy and Ola at B&H Dairy on Second Avenue reported on Instagram yesterday that the NYPD has arrested the thief who broke into and robbed the lunch counter (he took the entire register with its $500) this past November. 

Per their post: "He was caught due to fingerprints left in the restaurant. He's facing up to eight years in prison. Apparently, the same perp had robbed several other businesses in the neighborhood, one on St. Mark's and another on Avenue C."

Hate crime arrest made in assault of Asian woman on Astor Place

The NYPD has arrested the suspect wanted in connection with the assault of an Asian woman Sunday morning on Astor Place.

APPREHENDED and charged with a HATE CRIME. @NYPDDetectives @NYPD109Pct @NYPD9Pct https://t.co/dRBgyhxQNw

— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) March 22, 2021

The NYPD said they arrested 27-year-old Erick Deoliveira last evening. He has been charged with a hate crime assault and criminal mischief as a hate crime, per ABC 7. 

According to Gothamist, the man approached the woman, asked for her protest sign, then tore it up. When she asked why he did that, the man allegedly punched her in the face twice, then fled into the entrance for the uptown 6. 

A Good Samaritan who chased after Deoliveira told ABC 7 that the suspect "dropped his underwear and showed his genitalia to everyone on the platform."

The 37-year-old victim, who was on her way to a demonstration against anti-Asian violence with her daughter, suffered cuts and bruising to her lip, and a sprained ankle while trying to chase the assailant.

Reader report: Someone stole USPS key keepers along Avenue B

An EVG reader who lives on Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street reports that someone stole the USPS key keeper that holds the building's lobby key on Saturday night. 

Per the reader:

As one walks up Avenue B, you can see several buildings had this happen. A kid's scooter was stolen from the lobby of our building, and clearly people are getting desperate to do this kind of break in as it takes some effort. We're going to file a police report but just thought your readers might chime in if they have similar experiences or should be made aware.

The locksmith had to come and change all the locks... and the USPS has to replace the lockbox.

It is annoying more than anything. I think people are just really desperate.

Hate crime assault of Asian woman reported on Astor Place

WANTED for HATE CRIME ASSAULT : On Sunday March 21, 2021 @ 11:37 A.M. in the vicinity of 51 Astor Pl. @nypd9pct during an Anti-Asian Violence Protest , a protester carrying anti violence sign was approached by a male suspect and assaulted . Any info call us @ 800-577-TIPS pic.twitter.com/FBMxOdvqgd

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) March 22, 2021

Updated 3/23: An arrest was made

The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is searching for a suspect they say assaulted an Asian woman yesterday morning on Astor Place while she was walking to a demonstration against anti-Asian violence. 

The NYPD released the above video this morning showing the suspect...

Here is part of Gothamist's report:

The latest incident in a surge of attacks on Asian New Yorkers occurred at Astor Place, after an unidentified man approached the woman, asked for her protest sign, then stomped on it, according to police. When she asked why he did that, the man allegedly punched her in the face twice, then fled into a nearby subway station. 

The 37-year-old victim suffered a cuts and bruising to her lip, and a sprained ankle while trying to chase the assailant. 

Rita Chan, an East Village resident who saw the aftermath of the confrontation, said the attack happened in full view of the woman's young daughter. "You could see she was just numb. At one point, a woman approached her and gave her a cookie," Chan told Gothamist. "As soon she saw her mom being put on the gurney, that’s when she started crying. It was heartbreaking." 

NYPD reps to brief Community Board 3 on the activity around 3rd Street and Avenue C

Tonight, Community Board 3's Transportation, Public Safety & Environment Committee will hear from reps from PSA 4, who patrol public housing, and the 9th Precinct about "public safety issues in the Avenue C/Third Street area."

On Jan. 18, a 36-year-old man was shot and killed here. According to published reports, the man was shot multiple times around 8:40 p.m. The Post reported that three men were seen fleeing westbound on Third Street.

Since then, an NYPD vehicle has been parked on the corner.

Residents have long complained about the drug activity on the southeast corner of Avenue C and Third Street, which has been under a sidewalk bridge now for more than eight years. (The renovations to the three-story building, 32 Avenue C, came to a halt in recent years. A full vacate and stop-work order remain at the address.)

In August 2019, residents posted these flyers on buildings in the immediate area... asking tenants to reach out to the NYPD and local elected officials about the "drugs and hookers at the homeless camp" on the corner...

Tonight's virtual meeting starts at 6:30. The Zoom invite is here. 

Visit the CB3 website at this link for more details on all this month's CB3 meetings. Tomorrow night, the NYCHA & Section 8 Housing Subcommittee will discuss the conditions at the nearby Mariana Bracetti Plaza housing complex.

Police make arrest in fatal punch on 1st Avenue and 11th Street

Police have arrested a 19-year-old Lower East Side resident for delivering a fatal punch during an afternoon argument on Feb. 10 on First Avenue and 11th Street.

Thanks to the publics assistance and the great work of our @NYPDDetectives this individual has been apprehended. https://t.co/y456qe46Q1

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) March 2, 2021

According to published reports (amNY, the Post), Anthony Fabriani, 60, was arguing with Anthony Larocca, 19, when the teen punched him in the left eye, knocking him to the ground. 

Fabriani, who lived in Sheepshead Bay, slammed his head on the sidewalk when he fell. He was transported to Bellevue for a fractured skull, a fractured orbital bone and swelling of the brain. He died of his injuries on Feb. 23. 

Detectives, who according to amNY classified the death as a homicide, arrested Larocca on Monday. It is not believed the two men knew each other. So far there's no motive for the altercation, per the reports.

Report: Someone stole the entire $300,000 inventory from Taste Wine Co. on 3rd Avenue

Back on Jan. 19, we noted that Taste Wine at 50 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street looked closed (photo by Steven from Jan. 16). The windows were papered up and the inside appeared to be empty.

This apparent closure came just two months after the wine shop reopened under new ownership. By early February, the retail listing was online at RIPCO.

Now comes word, via the Post, that someone made off with the shop's entire inventory.

Per the story in the Post, which came from an anonymous police source, the owner was last inside the shop on Jan. 8, and he filed the police report this week.

The owner told police Tuesday night that when he was last at the Taste Wine Co. ...  on Jan. 8 all of the inventory was in place.

Prior to that date, the business had been closed for several months, he told authorities.

Stolen were 1,000 bottles of wine, 1,000 bottles of liquor and 125 wine dispensers, machines designed to serve and preserve wines at the right temperatures, the source said.

The total value was estimated at $300,000.

Last spring, previous owner Gary Landsman was hoping to sell the 5-year-old business as he continued to help raise awareness of Canavan, the fatal genetic disease that his two young sons have. 

He closed the shop in May ... he and his family were expected to travel to Dayton Children's Hospital in Ohio later in 2020. 

It is not immediately known who took over the business. 

Reader report: Someone broke into our apartment while we were at home

An EVG reader shares the following...

We had a break-in at around 3 a.m. [Wednesday] night; guy stole two laptops ... But the worst thing was I heard him, and ran into the living room and saw him scrambling out the window, then ran into the bedroom shrieking like Jeannie Bueller and wound up face to face with him on our balcony. (I was inside and he was outside, fortunately.) We stared at each other, frozen for a moment, like cartoon characters, and then he climbed back down while I banged on the glass. 

Cops said there have been a ton of break-ins lately. Moral: Everybody make sure to lock all your doors and windows at night — even in this weather.

The reader added the following: "Back up your data every night if you can, and if you have a Mac, have 'Find My' enabled so you can de-authorize it immediately and erase it." 

The above photo is of a random EV building, and not the one that was broken into between First Avenue and Second Avenue on Wednesday night.

Police searching for suspect in 1st Avenue assault on Wednesday afternoon

Police are searching for a suspect they say critically injured a 59-year-old man after punching him Wednesday afternoon on First Avenue near 12th Street. (Update: Readers say it was actually 11th Street near the Islamic Council of America.)

CBS 2 has a few more details:

Police say the suspect got into a dispute with the 59-year-old victim. Things escalated, and the suspect punched the victim in his left eye. 

The victim fell to the street and knocked his head on the concrete. That left the victim semi-conscious, police said. He suffered a fractured skull and swelling of the brain, according to authorities. 

The victim was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition.

Accounts of the assault did not include a description of the suspect (he appears to be wearing checkerboard slip-ons by Vans) ... the NYPD did release this footage last evening...

🚨WANTED for an ASSAULT: On 2/10/21 at approx. 2:51 PM, at 1st Avenue and East 12 Street. The suspect punched a 59 year old male victim in his left eye, knocking him down causing him to be semi-conscious. Any info call or DM NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS. Reward up to $2,500. pic.twitter.com/4GTu3d9w5r

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) February 12, 2021

Report: Man shot and killed last night on Avenue C and 3rd Street

Police are investigating a fatal shooting last night on the southeast corner of Avenue C and Third Street. 

According to published reports, a 36-year-old man was shot multiple times around 8:40 p.m. 

The Post reported that three men were seen fleeing westbound on Third Street. Witnesses also said that the victim had been on a bike.

Residents have long complained about the drug activity on this corner, which has been under a sidewalk bridge now for more than eight years. 

The renovations to the three-story building, 32 Avenue C, came to a halt in recent years. A full vacate and stop-work order remain at the address. 

NYPD looking for suspects in brutal daytime mugging on 3rd Street at 1st Avenue

Police are searching for a group of muggers who brazenly attacked a man at 12:40 p.m. yesterday on Third Street just west of First Avenue. 

CBS 2 reports that the 29-year-old victim, who suffered a broken jaw, was a delivery man. 

As the disturbing clip that the NYPD released shows, the suspects surrounded the man, repeatedly punching him while he was on the ground. When he gets up, someone punches him in the face. 

Police say the group took off with the victim's cellphone...

🚨WANTED for a ROBBERY: On 01/13/21 at approx. 12:42 PM, in the vicinity of 1st Ave and East 3 Street. The suspects punched the 29 year old male victim multiple times about the body. Any info call or DM NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS. Reward up to $2,500. @NYPDShea @NYPDDetectives pic.twitter.com/ivLOQB4UUo

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) January 14, 2021

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.

A break in at Kolkata Chai Cafe

Someone broke into the Kolkata Chai Cafe late Saturday night here at 199 E. Third St. just west of Avenue B. 

Proprietor Ayan Sanyal said that the incident happened around 2 a.m. Sunday... surveillance video shows the suspect repeatedly trying to break the glass in the front door with an unknown object ... before gaining access...

   

Aside from breaking the door, the perp took off with the cash register. 

"Thankfully there wasn't much cash and insurance should cover the door, but still a hassle and annoying incident in an already exhausting year," said Sanyal, who's hopeful that people will continue getting takeout this winter "because it's looking to be long, cold and short of any financial relief." 

Kolkata Chai Cafe opened here last September. 

And this marks the latest break in at a neighborhood business, joining a list that includes B&H Dairy ... Popeyes ... Tompkins Square Bagels ... and China Town.

Someone stole the safe from Nowon on Wednesday night

This past week, chef-owner Jae Lee celebrated the first anniversary of Nowon, his well-regarded restaurant that serves Korean-American fare at 507 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

And on Wednesday night, someone stole the safe from the establishment.

Lee launched a crowdfunding campaign yesterday offering more details:

We had a burglary at our restaurant on Wednesday evening. Our entire safe itself was stolen. We had over $2,000 in cash. Safe itself was over $1,000.

I spent the entire day today speaking to cops, detective and forensic team. The crook knew exactly where to go, which makes me think he has been here before and knew exactly how to move to not get caught on camera except the office. 

I am raising money to just get back what I lost. I would appreciate anything, honestly. I’ve never fundraised for myself before so if you have any questions or even words of encouragement, I will take it.

Within 14 hours of the GoFundMe, Lee raised the money — and more, and he deactivated the fundraiser. 

The restaurant also released a photo of the suspect from the surveillance video... 

A break in at Popeyes

The NYPD is at the Popeyes location on First Avenue between Second Street and Third Street this morning... after a report of a break in here...

As you can see, someone smashed in the front door. 

According to the Citizen app at 6:49 a.m., "two suspects reporteldy fled from the scene on foot." It's not known at the moment if anything was taken. 

The fried-chicken franchise opened here on Oct. 17.

A break in at B&H Dairy

There was another setback late last night in an already challenging year for B&H Dairy. 

Someone smashed a hole in the front door and broke into the 82-year-old lunch counter around 3 a.m. at 127 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. 

The thief (or thieves) made off with the cash drawer. 

Owners Ola and Fawzy Abdelwahed outlined their struggles here at the end of the summer. They're currently relying on pick ups and delivery ... as well as a few outdoor seats ... to stay in business during the pandemic. 

They had to cover paying employees, rent, utilities, and buying food for the restaurant on only 10 percent of their previous income. 

On May 30 someone smashed in their front window during a spate of vandalism along Second Avenue. 

B&H was able to open today at 11:30 after the police made a report...

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

A break in at China Town on East Houston

There was a break in this week at China Town, the reliable quick-serve restaurant at 250 E. Houston between Avenue A and Avenue B...

EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared these photos and spoke with the proprietor, who said that their cash box and other various items were stolen in the process... the proprietor encouraged patrons to order delivery or come pick up food to go ... noting that "things are difficult now."

A break in at Tompkins Square Bagels on 2nd Avenue

Workers arrived at the Second Avenue location of Tompkins Square Bagels this morning to find that someone broke into the storefront here between 11th Street and 12th Street...

Owner Christopher Pugliese said that the door, with an estimated cost of around $3,500, was the worst of the break-in damage. The now-smashed register contained $200 in change.

Report: 15 year old charged in October shooting death on Avenue A

A 15-year-old boy was reportedly charged with murder in the late-night shooting death of Tyrell Williams on Avenue A on Oct. 11. 

According to the Daily News, the teen, accompanied by his father [updated: story changed to sister], turned himself in at the 9th Precinct on Fifth Street.

Police say that the teen, who was with two friends, walked up to Williams and allegedly shot him four times in the chest on A between 12th Street and 13th Street. Williams, a 26-year-old father of two, died later at Mount Sinai Beth Israel.

Police have not released a motive in the shooting, though sources have said it was likely gang-related.

Photo from Oct. 11 by Michael Paul 

Noted

And some people worry about bike lanes...

NYPD releases surveillance footage of suspects in weekend murder on Avenue A

Police are searching for three suspects wanted in connection with the murder late Saturday night of 26-year-old Tyrell Williams on Avenue A near 13th Street.

The video below shows the suspects in a nearby deli... and each of them receives hand sanitizer from the store clerk... the video then cuts to the shooting... police reportedly said that Williams was shot four times...

🚨WANTED🚨for a HOMICIDE in the vicinity of Ave A and East 13 Street #alphabetcity #Manhattan @NYPD9Pct on 10/11/20 @ 1:20 A.M.💰Reward UP TO $2500 👓Seen them?Know who they are? ☎️Call 1-800-577-TIPS or DM us!📞Calls are CONFIDENTIAL! #yourcityYourcall @NYPDShea @NYPDDetectives pic.twitter.com/R8OArsJQke

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) October 15, 2020

The NYPD also released this montage of the three suspects...

According to the Daily News, the shooting may have been gang-related. Williams was allegedly a member of the YG Bloods, and was wanted for questioning in a shooting two years ago.

Top photo by Michael Paul