Crime

Wakefield: Two U.S Marshals Shot, Suspect Shot Dead

By DAVID GREENE
An early morning shootout in Wakefield left two deputy U.S. Marshals wounded, at least one NYPD detective injured, and the suspect, wanted for questioning in a prior shooting of a Massachusetts State trooper, was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with police. Sources say the four marshals from the New York / New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, joined members of NYPD’s Warrants Bureau as they executed a search warrant at 4085 Ely Avenue in Wakefield at 5:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 4.   The alleged suspect, Andre Sterling, 35, allegedly shot Massachusetts Trooper, John Lennon, in the


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“Jashawn’s Law” Passed After 18 Years; Honors 8-Year-Old Tragically Killed in 2002 Fire

By DAVID GREENE
A pair of local, elected officials joined housing advocates and attorneys in taking a bow during a recent virtual discussion, following the passage of “Jashawn’s Law,” which establishes deadlines for landlords to make court-ordered repairs to buildings.   State Sen. Robert Jackson joined Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz in a Zoom conference call on Monday, Nov. 16, along with officials from the Legal Aid Society and housing advocacy groups, Take Root Justice and the Fordham-Bedford Housing Corporation.   The bill was put forward by Dinowitz in 2003 in response to the Aug. 6, 2002 blaze at 3569 DeKalb Avenue in Norwood that


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Body Camera Footage Released of Police-Involved Shooting in October in The Bronx

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  The NYPD released body-worn camera footage on Friday, Dec. 4, from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on October 22, 2020, in the 41st precinct, which covers Hunts Point and Longwood.   The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD said it was releasing the video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.   All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras. The police said the benefits of cameras are clear: transparency into police activity, de-escalation of police encounters and accountability for police officers, through an independent


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Williamsbridge: Noise Complaints Soar as Police Monitor House Parties to Stop COVID Spread

By GABRIEL POBLETE
Amid the ongoing, opening hour restrictions imposed on clubs, bars and restaurants, currently subject to a 10 p.m. closure, one Bronx district is experiencing skyrocketing, loud music complaints. Since moving to Williamsbridge in the upper Bronx, Venus Carey has had to endure unbearably loud music from neighbors’ parties. She said it has gotten so bad, at times she and her roommate have resorted to booking a hotel to get some respite.   “It’s affecting my productivity,” said Carey, 38. “It’s affecting my mood. It’s affecting my sleep,” she added. “If it happens on a weekend, even on a Saturday, I


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Update: 10-Year-Old Missing Girl, Leila Aracena, Found Safe & Reunited with Family in Norwood

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Police reported that Leila Aracena was found “safe and in good condition”, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, at approximately 12.20 p.m. She has been reunited with her family.   On Wednesday, Dec 2, 2020, at approximately 10.52 p.m., there was an unofficial report on the Citizen’s App of an incident on E. Gun Hill Road and Perry Avenue that police were searching for a 10-year-old girl, described as Latina, 5 foot, 2 inches tall, with hair in pigtails, and last seen wearing gray sweatpants, a red T-shirt and red sandals.   According to the app, at 11.09 p.m., police reportedly requested


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Body of Man Discovered in Wooded Section of Mosholu Golf Course

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at approximately 10.40 a.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding an unconscious, aided person in a wooded area of the Mosholu golf course, in the vicinity of East 233rd Street and Jerome Avenue in the 50th precinct.   Upon arrival, police discovered the remains of an unidentified man, lying on the ground at the location. EMS responded and pronounced the individual deceased at the scene. The identity of the deceased is pending family notification. The medical examiner is to determine the cause of death.   The investigation is ongoing.  

Belmont: 59-Year-Old Woman Found Dead, NYPD Classify as Homicide

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 at around 8.12 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding a wellness check at 2173 Clinton Avenue in the Belmont section of the Bronx, in the 48th precinct.   Upon arrival, the FDNY was asked to remove the door. An unconscious and unresponsive 59-year-old female, aided, laying at the bottom of the stairs, was found inside the residence.   EMS responded and pronounced the female deceased at the scene. The medical examiner is to determine the cause of death.   On Tuesday, Dec. 1, police reported that the incident has been deemed a homicide.


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Central Bronx: Search for 16-Year-Old Girl

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Melissa Chicas Villatoro, 16, who was reported missing in the 42nd precinct.   Melissa was last seen on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, at around 8 a.m. inside her home at 1493 Hoe Avenue near to the Charlotte Gardens section of the Bronx. She is described as female, Hispanic, 5 feet, 1 inch tall, weighs 135 pounds, and was last seen wearing all dark clothing.   Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The


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University Heights: Man Armed with Machete Wanted in Connection With Robbery

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance identifying the man who appears in the attached photos who is wanted in connection with a robbery that occurred in the 52nd precinct.    On Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 at 7.51 a.m., in front of 2359 Jerome Avenue in the University Heights section of the Bronx, a 26-year-old male victim was involved in a minor vehicle accident with the suspect. The suspect demanded $200 from the victim, before displaying a machete. The suspect removed the victim’s wallet and cellphone before fleeing southbound on Jerome Avenue. Anyone with information in regards to this


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