Last weekend, at least five suspects ransacked through dozens of cars in Broad Channel and stole two vehicles while residents were sound asleep.
Between the hours of 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Sunday, December 3, approximately five young men targeted cars from Noel Road to 11th and 18th Roads, taking items from seats, glove compartments, consoles and trunks. One resident found a key to a neighbor’s car inside their car. Two residents woke up to their cars nowhere to be found. No one saw a thing that early Sunday morning, but security cameras around the neighborhood caught the young men on their spree and at least a dozen police reports were filed.
“Our car was broken into and my son's car was stolen on West 18th Road,” Margaret Wagner said. “What is truly so eerie about this whole incident is that they walked from Noel Road to 18th up and down three or four blocks from 2 to about 3 or 4 a.m., and no one saw anything. I keep thinking that it is a blessing, that no one did confront them. God forbid, one of them was carrying a knife or gun, and someone from our community was hurt or killed.”
Some believe the suspects used a unique device to help them break into cars. According to Broad Channel Civic Association President Dan Mundy Jr., it is believed the suspects used an amplifier device to break into cars that use a keyless system, or an electronic button to open and start cars.
Yet some residents admit they didn’t lock their doors. “Mine was the first car hit during the spree on Noel Road. My door was left unlocked after I forgot to lock it after grabbing my headphones to go for a run,” Chrystal Scotti said. “Videos show them coming from the train station, two guys on one sidewalk and three on the other, pulling aggressively at door handles. They spent three minutes in my car. They made off with $10 in change, a spare cell phone and a fishing knife.”
Others lost much more. Lauren Wagner's car, one of the cars that was stolen, contained a trunk full of presents from a 60th birthday party the night before. On Tuesday, Wagner reported that her car was discovered in Brooklyn and two boys, ages 15 and 19, were arrested by officers of the 75th Precinct for the theft. The presents were not recovered, but the car was returned in repairable condition.
On Monday, members of the NYPD Explorers program were out leaving notices on cars to make residents aware of the recent thefts and ways to protect themselves, including a reminder to not leave any valuable items in cars and to keep doors locked.
Residents are hoping even more will be done. “There is no reason a group of kids should be able to walk the streets at 2 a.m. without being questioned by police. Anyone out at that hour is up to no good. More police presence, possibly a permanent car stationed in the Channel would be useful,” Scotti said.
On Thursday, December 7, at 7 p.m., the Deputy Inspector of the 100th Precinct and the Chief of Queens South are scheduled to appear at the Broad Channel Civic Association meeting at the VFW (705 Shad Creek Road) to provide information and updates on the issue.
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