Noted

From the Citizen app: "Report of Suspicious Box Spilling Pink Sand" on First Avenue and Fourth Street. 

A Citizen commenter suggested that this is simply fairy dust.

Indictment announced against suspect who allegedly murdered James Cunningham on Avenue A last month

A memorial for James Cunningham on Avenue A 

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg yesterday announced the indictment of Roland Codrington, who's accused of stabbing and killing two men last month in two separate incidents, including 51-year-old James Cunningham on Avenue A on Dec. 19. 

Here's more via the DA's office: 

Codrington is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Assault in the First Degree, one count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree, one count of Assault in the Second Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. 

"Roland Codrington allegedly wreaked havoc across the city in a crime spree that left two dead," Bragg said in a statement "Manhattanites deserve to live their daily lives without the fear of being attacked." 

According to court documents and statements made on the record, on December 19, 2022, Mr. Cunningham left a bar in the East Village and Codrington approached Mr. Cunningham outside the bar. Codrington pulled out a knife and slashed Mr. Cunningham in the neck, leaving him bleeding. Mr. Cunningham was pronounced dead at the hospital. in two separate incidents. 

Per media reports, Codrington has 12 prior arrests, including in connection with auto-related crimes in 2022. "In 2021, he was charged with assault with a weapon. Codrington was charged in connection with two assaults with a weapon in 2017," PIX11 reported.

Early on Dec. 19, Cunningham had just left the bar Spike's at 218 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street around 1 a.m. when he bumped into Codrington on the street. 

Video footage at the scene, police officials said, shows the two men arguing for about 20 seconds before Codrington is seen slashing Cunningham with a knife. NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said the two men had no prior connection before Dec. 19. 

Police officials said that the same knife was used in a violent rampage in which Codrington also allegedly killed a doctor in Marcus Garvey Park and assaulted several other people before his arrest on Christmas Eve. 

The Daily News reported that Cunningham was a regular at Spike's ... "who often came into the bar to order a seltzer or soda, never drank alcohol but instead used the bar as a community center." 

One EVG commenter had this to say about Cunningham: "He was my friend for 35 years and was the best type of person. James would have given the last of anything he had so another wouldn't have to go without."

Noted

A resident of a building on Fifth Street shares this email from the landlord of roughly three years, The Sabet Group, which offers their rationale for persistent broken front-door locks and, subsequently, stolen packages ...

Dear Residents,

You are correct, the city is no longer safe due to the bail reform and protest to defund the police. There are no consequences for stealing packages/breaking the law. The doors will be fixed again due to criminals attempting to pick and break locks. Please submit your request to the police and the city regarding safety of the city and our state. 

Thank you, 

The Management 

The resident was irked that the landlord blamed issues such as bail reform instead of shoddy maintenance practices. Per a resident: "Sabet might consider using some of the exorbitantly higher rents they collect to maintain security and protect their tenants." 

NYPD looking for 3 suspects in New Year's Eve stabbing on Avenue A

Photo Saturday night by Stacie Joy 

The NYPD has released some information about the stabbing that took place New Year's Eve night around 10 outside 133 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. 

Police and media accounts stated that "a 32-year-old man was standing in front of 133 Avenue A when a group of people approached him ... and one person from the group began arguing with him, according to the NYPD. The argument then led to a fight, and the assailant stabbed the victim in the head and chest before running away." 

The Crime Stoppers tweet (the time is incorrect on the tweet — it was p.m. not a.m.) shows three suspects in the surveillance video...

WANTED for AN Assault in front of 133 Avenue A,. #Manhattan @NYPD9pct on 12/31/22 @ 10:10 AM After a verbal dispute an individual stabbed the victim in the head and torso before fleeing northbound on Avenue A on foot Reward up to $3500 Call 1-800-577-TIPS Calls are CONFIDENTIAL! pic.twitter.com/4as7vPjsWv

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) January 3, 2023

No word yet on a motive or condition of the victim.

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 memorial on Avenue A for James Cunningham

There's a small memorial with candles and flowers outside a vacant storefront at 214 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street ... near where police found the body of 51-year-old local resident James Cunningham early morning on Dec. 19.

According to the NYPD and published reports, Cunningham had just left the bar Spike's at 218 Avenue A around 1 a.m. when he bumped into Roland Codrington and his girlfriend on the street. 

Video footage at the scene, police officials said, shows the two men arguing for about 20 seconds before Codrington is seen slashing Cunningham with a knife. NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said the two men had no prior connection before Dec. 19. 

Police officials said that the same knife was used in a violent rampage in which Codrington also allegedly killed a doctor in Marcus Garvey Park and assaulted several other people before his arrest on Christmas Eve. 

The Daily News reported that Cunningham was a regular at Spike's, 218 Avenue A ... "who often came into the bar to order a seltzer or soda, never drank alcohol but instead used the bar as a community center." 

One EVG commenter had this to say about Cunningham: "He was my friend for 35 years and was the best type of person. James would have given the last of anything he had so another wouldn't have to go without."

On Dec. 22, Codrington allegedly choked a bartender and stabbed two Good Samaritans at Teddy's Bar and Grill on Second Avenue in East Harlem. Media reports stated that Codrington showed up at the bar with a pit bull and a baseball bat to settle a score. 

Police reportedly used surveillance video from Teddy's to link him to the knife attack on Avenue A. 

Early on Dec. 23, a 60-year-old pediatrician was found dead in Marcus Garvey Park. Police said that Codrington and the victim, Bruce Henry, got into a verbal spat that ended with the doctor being stabbed multiple times. The NYPD's investigation led detectives to Codrington and his girlfriend driving Henry's Mercedes-Benz in the Bronx on Christmas Eve. 

Essing said Codrington faces two counts each of murder and attempted murder and additional charges of second-degree assault and criminal mischief. Codrington had 12 prior arrests, Essing said. 

Codrington reportedly confessed to the crimes, telling police that he tossed the knife used in the crimes into the Hudson River.

Police arrest suspect connected to the Dec. 19 murder on Avenue A

An East Harlem resident has been arrested in connection with the early morning murder on Dec. 19 on Avenue A. 

During a press conference this morning, police said Roland Codrington, 35, went on a violent rampage in which he allegedly stabbed two men to death and assaulted several other people before his arrest on Christmas Eve. 

Police said that 51-year-old local resident James Cunningham bumped into Codrington and his girlfriend around 1 a.m. on Dec. 19 outside Spike's on Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. Video footage at the scene, police officials said, shows the two men arguing for about 20 seconds before the suspect is seen slashing Cunningham's throat. 

NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said the two men had no prior connection before Dec. 19. 

On Dec. 22, Codrington allegedly choked a bartender and stabbed two Good Samaritans at Teddy's Bar and Grill on Second Avenue in East Harlem. Media reports stated that Codrington showed up at the bar with a pit bull and a baseball bat. 

Early Friday morning, a 60-year-old pediatrician was found dead in Marcus Garvey Park. Police said that Codrington and the victim, Bruce Henry, got into a verbal spat that ended with the doctor being stabbed multiple times. 

The NYPD's investigation led detectives to Codrington and his girlfriend driving Henry's Mercedes-Benz in the Bronx on Christmas Eve. 

Essing said Codrington faces two counts each of murder and attempted murder and additional charges of second-degree assault and criminal mischief. 

Codrington had 12 prior arrests, Essing said. No word yet on charges against Codrington's girlfriend. 

Here's a video of today's press conference...

Watch as Police Commissioner Sewell and NYPD executives provide an update on an ongoing police investigation. https://t.co/izdFygSP6O

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 26, 2022

[Updated] NYPD release wanted poster in connection with Avenue A homicide

Updated 12/26

Police have arrested Roland Codrington (see below). He is accused of two murders — on Avenue A and a doctor Friday in Marcus Garvey Park. In both deadly assaults, the victims were killed with a knife. And in both deaths, the suspect did not previously have any interaction with the victims.

More details to follow.

-----

The NYPD is searching for a suspect in connection with the early-morning homicide Monday outside 214 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. 

Police have placed reward posters near the crime scene. The poster states the 9th Precinct "is attempting to identify and apprehend this individual." (Thanks to the reader for the photo.)

According to published reports and police sources, 51-year-old James Cunningham was found on the sidewalk with lacerations on his neck just before 1. a.m. He reportedly had a glass of seltzer at Spike's, 218 Avenue A, where he was a regular, per the Daily News, and was attacked after leaving. Police and media reports say that the suspect jumped Cunningham during a confrontation. Police have not yet revealed a motive in the deadly attack.

Sources told the Post that "Cunningham himself was just arrested 10 days ago and charged with menacing with a knife." 

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. 

WANTED for Homicide in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/mwvePZlmQR

— NYPD 121st Precinct (@NYPD121Pct) December 24, 2022

Updated 12/25 

Sources say the suspect, identified as Roland Codrington, is also wanted for an attack at an East Harlem bar on Thursday night.

The following individual has been identified as Roland Codrington. If you have any information on his whereabouts contact @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS. https://t.co/7UPzMAj5eA

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 24, 2022

Updated 12/26

Here's the press conference announcing the arrest of Codrington.

Watch as Police Commissioner Sewell and NYPD executives provide an update on an ongoing police investigation. https://t.co/izdFygSP6O

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 26, 2022

[Updating] Man found dead with a slash wound to his neck on Avenue A

Updated 12/26

Police have arrested Roland Codrington. He is accused of two murders — on Avenue A and a doctor Friday in Marcus Garvey Park. In both deadly assaults, the victims were killed with a knife. And in both deaths, the suspect did not previously have any interaction with the victims.

Updated 12/22: Police released a photo of the suspect here.

--

The body of a 51-year-old man with a neck wound was found early this morning on Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. 

According to ABC 7, the man, whose identity has not been released, was discovered around 1 a.m. outside 214 Avenue A on the east side of the avenue with "a laceration to the neck." Authorities pronounced him dead at Bellevue. 

The Daily News reports that the man "lived nearby where he was killed." 

Police have confirmed that this was a homicide. We'll update this story when more information becomes available. 

Updated 1:30 p.m.

The Post identified the victim as James Cunningham. He reportedly had a glass of seltzer at Spike's and was attacked by an unknown assailant after leaving. 

Sources told the paper that "Cunningham himself was just arrested 10 days ago and charged with menacing with a knife." 

Police have not yet revealed a motive or suspect in the deadly attack.

The Daily News reported that Cunningham was a regular at Spike's, 218 Avenue A.

Per the News:

He walked outside and was sliced in the neck after getting into a confrontation in front of a neighboring vacant storefront, according to cops.

"He was a super nice guy," said an employee, who asked not to be named.

NYPD tips posters are now up on the block...

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.

Report: Police arrest suspect in the murder of Jaden Stokes at Campos Plaza

Photo from Oct. 29 

Police have arrested a suspect in the deadly shooting on Oct. 27 inside Campos Plaza, 635 E. 12th St. at Avenue C. 

According to published reports, Lindell Cox, 31, was charged with murder in the death of 21-year-old Jaden Stokes. 

Surveillance footage shows a man, who police have said is Cox, wearing a mask and firing multiple shots inside the NYCHA's building lobby while Stokes and a 24-year-old man were waiting for the elevator. The other man was wounded by a gunshot in the leg. A motive for the shooting wasn't revealed.

A GoFundMe established to help the Stokes family pay for funeral expenses states that Jaden had just started a new job as a School Youth Mentor. He received his first check on the day he was killed.

An early morning robbery at Desi Galli

Photos by Stacie Joy

Two men smashed their way into Desi Galli early yesterday morning at 172 Avenue B. 

The break-in occurred a little before 6 a.m. Owner PriaVanda Chouhan told EVG contributor Stacie Joy that the thieves took an iPad that the quick-serve restaurant used for music and about $1,000 in cash.

"They didn't get anything else because our neighbor's dog started barking. [The neighbor] heard them smashing things so she called the cops," Chouhan said. "She yelled out the window, 'The cops are coming!' and they ran out the door. They were in the restaurant for two minutes. Other than the door, nothing was damaged." 

This is the second break-in at the restaurant here between 10th Street and 11th Street in recent years. Any plans to add a gate to the storefront? 

"We are looking at gates, but I need to talk to my landlord because security should be part of my lease," she said. 

Meanwhile, the show had to go on at Desi Galli, as Chouhan prepared to cater a 300-person Diwali celebration yesterday.

Deadly shooting reported at Campos Plaza

Updated 11/7

Police have arrested a suspect in the deadly shooting.

Updated 8 a.m.

The shooting victim was identified as Jaden Stokes. His brother Dujon, one of Jaden's seven siblings, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help the family pay for funeral expenses. You can find that link here.

----

A 21-year-old man was killed, and a 24-year-old man was wounded tonight in a shooting at Campos Plaza at 635 E. 12th St. at Avenue C. 

According to the Daily News, the two men were in an elevator around 7:30 p.m. When the elevator doors opened, a man waiting in the lobby fired several shots and took off. 

A worker making a delivery in the NYCHA building told the News: "The guy in the lobby started shooting the guys in the elevator. There were three, maybe four shots," he said. "It was crazy scary. I didn't want him to shoot me."

No other information was immediately available as the investigation got underway. 

Updated, more coverage: The Post ... CBS 2 ... ABC 7 ... NBC 4 ... 

Screengrab via Citizen

Report: Man shot on St. Mark's Place last night

Photos by Steven

A man was shot in the stomach last night around 11 on St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue, according to published reports and witnesses. 

The Post reports that the 25-year-old victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital and is expected to survive. 

An exact address wasn't listed. The Citizen app changed the address of the shooting several times, starting with 100 St. Mark's Place. Another resident said it was near 113 St. Mark's Place, where a police presence remains this morning. 

Word-of-mouth from the scene was that three men approached the victim with one of them pulling the trigger. The Post reported that the NYPD recovered three shell casings.

This block of St. Mark's Place is closed to traffic on weekends for sidewalk/street dining.

No arrests have been made.

Updated 10:30 a.m.

CBS 2 has this report...

Police: Delivery man slashed in face at 7th Street and Avenue A entrance to Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy

An Uber Eats bicycle delivery man was slashed in the face this afternoon around 3:30 on Seventh Street and Avenue A, police sources said. 

The injured man was taken to hospital, but his condition is not life-threatening, sources confirmed.

It's not immediately clear what led to the slashing, which an EVG reader said occurred right inside the park entrance. 

Police have once again closed off the area around the chess tables steps away from this entrance to Tompkins, something which has happened multiple times in recent years. There have been numerous reader reports about drug use, stolen property and fights in this space.

[Updated] 26-year-old man shot and killed this afternoon outside 3 Haven Plaza

Photos by Garrett Rosso

Police are investigating the shooting death of a 26-year-old man this afternoon outside 3 Haven Plaza between Avenue C and Avenue D. 

According to witnesses, the victim was on a Citi Bike at the time of the shooting around 1:30 p.m. in the area near 12th Street and 13th Street.  (Updated: New info states that the Citi Bike was found at the scene, but it's unclear if anyone was riding it at the time of the shooting.)

NY1 reported that the man, whose identity has not been revealed, was pronounced dead at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. 

Police at the scene recovered three shell casings...

Police and published reports stated that the suspect is a man in his 20s who was wearing all black and a face mask. Police officials told ABC 7 that the victim had been targeted by the gunman.

The circumstances leading up to the shooting in unknown at the moment.

In an unrelated shooting early this morning, a 25-year-old woman was shot and killed on 14th Street at Irving Place. That shooting remains under investigation.

Updated 9/2

The Post reports that the victim was an alleged Money Boy Gang member.

The gunman blasted him four times in the head as he walked out of an apartment building, according to cops and the sources. 

Video reviewed by investigators shows that the gunman walked back and forth after he shot the victim, then kicked him multiple times in the head, sources said. 

 

People keep stealing catalytic converters

Top photo from 6th Street

Catalytic converters remain a hot property. (Background)

This appeared on the Citizen app this morning ... two men stole one (allegedly!) from a vehicle on the south end of Avenue B, prompting a police search of the area ...

Meanhile, the 9th Precinct tweeted this back on Saturday morning...

There is a big market for catalytic converters and these thieves know that. Great Police work by Officer Ramos and Officer Foster. They responded to a 911 call of a man stealing a catalytic converter from a car and after a brief foot chase the individual was arrested. pic.twitter.com/o8IH7zYQqT

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) August 20, 2022

Today in posts about things people are stealing

Hot topic and probably one of the hottest items for criminals these days!! BE AWARE pic.twitter.com/Tqqr5xQK5Y

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) July 21, 2022

The 9th Precinct tweeted this out the other day... an uptick in catalytic converter theft!

Per Car & Driver: 

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), catalytic converter theft has spiked dramatically due to three precious metals found inside them: palladium, rhodium, and platinum. How precious are we talking about here? At the time of this writing, an ounce of rhodium costs about $15,000.

Police looking for suspect in slashing on St. Mark's Place

The NYPD is seeking the public's help in finding a suspect wanted in connection to a slashing on St. Mark's Place. 

According to police officials, the incident took place on July 5 at 6:09 p.m. outside 120 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

Per the Crime Stoppers tweet: "The suspects engaged a 19-year-old male in a dispute, then one of the suspects slashed his face with a sharp object."

🚨WANTED-ASSAULT: On 7/5/22 at approx. 6:09PM, front of 120 St Marks Pl @NYPD9PCT Manhattan. The suspects engaged a 19-year-old male in a dispute then one of the suspects slashed his face with a sharp object. Any info call us at 800-577-TIPS Reward up to $3,500 pic.twitter.com/5Isukm1Ho7

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) July 15, 2022

Anyone with information that could help 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. There's a reward up to $3,500.

[Updated] 21-year-old man dead in hit-and-run on East Houston

21-year-old man dies after being found sprawled out on East Village street, likely victim of hit-and-run driverhttps://t.co/FhN2ep8ZAT

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) July 14, 2022

Updated 7/15: 

According to NBC 4, authorities identified the victim as Andy Eduardo Gil, 21. He was reportedly walking south to north across Houston at Forsyth. 

Updated 7/16:

The Daily News spoke with the young man's grieving parents. 

Dad Eduardo Gil recalled his son working at a hotel while pursuing his aspirations of becoming a photographer and graphic designer, adding the young man was headed to a scheduled photo shoot when killed that morning.

-- 

Per Myles Miller at Channel 4, citing surveillance video:

The traffic light changed as he was in the median, and a private sanitation truck slowed to let him pass.

At that same time, however, a black sedan can be seen speeding around the right side of the truck. The car struck the victim ... and dragged him along the street. Both the car and sanitation truck left Gil in the middle of the street, and drove away.

The sedan was last seen driving westbound on Houston. 

 ---

Police are searching for the driver of a sedan they say struck and killed a 21-year-old man early this morning on East Houston Street. 

According to ABC 7, the pedestrian was crossing East Houston at Forsyth Street around 5 a.m. when he was hit by a sedan driver, who fled the scene. 

Per ABC 7:

Workers in the area who have seen the surveillance [footage] say it's clear the driver was going way too fast into the intersection. 

"I'm not too sure if he saw the person, but even if he didn't, at least stop if you know you hit someone," said Justin Lopez, who works nearby. "And he didn't."

Police looking for suspect in attempted sexual assault in apartment building on 11th Street and 3rd Avenue

The NYPD is searching for a man they say tried to sexually assault a 23-year-old woman Sunday night. 

 

According to police and media accounts, the man crept up behind the woman inside her building near 11th Street and Third Avenue at about 11:40 p.m. Police said that as she opened her door, he pushed the woman into the apartment and tried to sexually assault her. The woman reportedly got the attacker out of the apartment, and he left with her wallet.

Police released surveillance of the suspect at an unnamed business...

   

A description of the suspect has not been released.

Anyone with information that could help 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.

Police searching for suspect who burglarized a storage room on Avenue B

The NYPD has just released information about a suspect they say burglarized a storage room on Avenue B and took $26,000 in merchandise. 

According to the police, the incident occurred at 4:25 a.m. on June 11 at 23 Avenue B, which is between Second Street and Third Street. As previously reported, workers added two new floors and combined the two four-story structures here.

The police report does not mention the name of the business... the lone one being Gas on Deck, a recreational marijuana dispensary and accessories shop.

There is a $3,500 reward for information about this theft...

WANTED for a Burglary at 23 Avenue B. #Manhattan @NYPD9pct on 6/11/22 @ 4:25 AM an unknown individual forcefully entered the storage room at location and removed approximately $26,000 worth of merchandise. Reward up to $3500 Call 1-800-577-TIPS Calls are CONFIDENTIAL pic.twitter.com/OEzHoVzkj8

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) July 2, 2022