Arson Incidents in University Heights/Kingsbridge Heights: Three Confirmed & Possibility of a Fourth

By SÍLE MOLONEY, MIRIAM QUIÑONES & DAVID GREENE

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance identifying the person seen in the attached video and photographs who is wanted for questioning in connection to two arson incidents that occurred in the 50th precinct. It was reported to police that on Friday June, 11, 2021, between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., inside a residential building in the vicinity of University Avenue and West 195th Street, an individual set fire to the door of an apartment. On Monday June 14, 2021, between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., the person returned to the building and set fire to the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Ridgewood Savings Bank branch, located on 3445 Jerome Avenue in Norwood, will be closing and moving premises effective September 3, 2021, according to a letter dated May 17, received by customers. A new local branch of the bank which, according to the letter, has been in operation for 100 years, will open during the summer (no exact date has been specified, as yet) and will be located at 320 East 204th Street, in Norwood. In the letter sent to customers, a copy of which has been seen by Norwood News, bank representatives write that they will be moving all accounts

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD has arrested a man living in Morris Heights who had been sought in connection with a citywide police impersonation and theft pattern. The pattern spanned a number of police precincts, including the 48th precinct, encompassing Belmont, East Tremont, and West Farms, the 102nd precinct which covers central Queens containing Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill East, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, and the northern part of Ozone Park, and the Midtown Manhattan North precinct which serves the area of Midtown Manhattan, south of Central Park. On July 20, 2020, at approximately 1.20 p.m., the suspect allegedly engaged in a verbal

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Nine people have incurred non life-threatening injuries following a multiple vehicle accident on the Bronx River Parkway in Olinville. On Saturday, June 19, at around 7.36 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding a motor vehicle collision on Bronx River Parkway (southbound lane) in the vicinity of East 219th Street, located in the 47th precinct. After a preliminary investigation, police said a female driver told officers she had been driving a 2020 Honda (Vehicle #3) in the far right parkway lane, and had been attempting to change lanes into the middle lane when a second vehicle recklessly

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Norwood News received reports that a fire broke out in University Heights on Saturday, June 19, and that the cause of the fire is possibly being treated as suspicious. Bronx All Hands Box 3186, 130 W 183 ST, Multiple Dwelling 'A' Fire, 2F — FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) June 19, 2021 Citizen’s App users posted that a fire was reported shortly after midday on Saturday on the second floor of a building located at 130 West 183rd Street in University Heights. An unverified video posted to the app showed several fire trucks at the scene with a ladder deployed.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

An off-duty New York City employee was arrested on rape and other charges on Friday, June 18, at 10.30 p.m. in the 46th precinct, which covers Fordham, University Heights, Morris Heights and Mount Hope. José Lozano, 50, an NYC Department of Transportation bricklayer was arrested and charged with rape, two counts of a criminal sex act involving a victim less than 13 years old, two counts of sex abuse involving a victim under 13 years old, and two counts of acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years of age. A person arrested is

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE

A man is dead following a hit and run incident in the vicinity of the Bronx River Parkway underpass and Southern Boulevard. On Friday, June 18, 2021, at around 11.22 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding a motor vehicle collision involving an e-bike and a 2019 Mercedes Benz sedan, in which a cyclist had been struck in the vicinity of the Bronx River Parkway underpass and Southern Boulevard, located in the 52nd precinct. Upon arrival, responding officers observed an as yet unidentified man on the roadway with severe trauma to his head and body. EMS also

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A 29-year-old woman has died following as shooting in Fordham Manor. On Wednesday, June 16, at around 11.24 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had been shot at East 194th Street and Marion Avenue, in the 52nd precinct. Upon arrival, officers observed two people with gunshot wounds: a 31-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds about his body, and a 29-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to her torso. EMS also responded to the location and transported both victims to Saint Barnabas Hospital, where the woman was pronounced deceased. She has been identified

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A Mount Vernon man who coached local youth sports teams and who engaged in sexual acts with a minor was arraigned on Wednesday, June 16, in Mount Vernon City Court, Westchester District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced. The 30-year-old man from Mount Vernon is charged with three counts of a criminal sexual act in the third degree. He is alleged to have engaged in sexual acts with a 16-year-old on two separate occasions in recent months. He is a volunteer coach at Mount Vernon High School and also coached other youth sports teams in the Mount Vernon area.