Burglary spree targets Greenpoint and Williamsburg businesses

A rash of 12 burglaries have plagued Greenpoint and Williamsburg businesses over the past month and a half and now the police are asking for the public’s help in identifying and finding the two men caught on surveillance tapes breaking into at least one of the businesses, Boulevard Tavern, on July 2.

Video: Burglary Spree in Greenpoint and Williamsburg – 2013

The men are described at white males, who were caught on video wearing casual shorts, T-shirts, baseball caps, and sneakers. They drive up to the location in a dark-colored SUV or minivan, and gain entry through the street-level entrances in order to steal varying amounts of money from cash registers.

The list of businesses hit have varied from bars and restaurants to florists and grocery stores:

• Incident #1 – Between approximately 4:00AM and 10:00AM on Tuesday, June 18^th at 158 Norman Ave. (Connie’s).
• Incident #2 – Between approximately 3:00AM and 6:30AM on Friday, June 28^th at 160 Franklin St. (Mrs. Kim’s).
• Incident #3 – Between approximately 5:00PM on Tuesday, July 2^nd and 3:40AM on Wednesday, July 3^rd at 224 Franklin St. (TBD Bar).
• Incident #4 – Between approximately 12:57AM and 3:00AM on Wednesday, July 3^rd at 457 Graham Ave. (Grandma Rose’s).
• Incident #5 – Between approximately 4:37AM and 5:00AM on Sunday, July 21^st at 134 Kingsland Ave. (One Stop Beer Shop).
• Incident #6 – Between approximately 11:00PM on Sunday, July 21^st and 6:30AM on Monday, July 22^nd at 94 Franklin St. (Cookie Road).
• Incident #7 – Between approximately 1:53AM and 1:56AM on Monday, July 22^nd at 257 Driggs Ave. (Freddy Food Market).
• Incident #8 – At approximately 5:33AM on Monday, July 2^nd at 579 Meeker Ave. (Boulevard Tavern).
• Incident #9 – At approximately 3:09AM on Friday, July 26^th at 125 Wythe Ave. (Fat Goose).
• Incident #10 – Between approximately 11:00PM on Thursday, July 25^th and 6:00AM on Friday, July 26^th at 103 N. 3 St. (Modca).
• Incident #11 – At approximately 1:50AM at 133 Robling St. (Osio Coffee Shop).
• Incident #12 – Between approximately 8:00PM on Thursday, July 25^th and approximately 9:30AM on Friday, July 26^th at 183 Norman Ave. (Ameenas Florist).

According to Jeff Mann, president of the Greenpoint Chamber of Commerce, “a lot of our members are really concerned about this,” with some saying they’ve experienced robberies over the last several months. “I don’t remember so many happening so quickly, but it has happened [in the past].”

However, both Mann and the 94th Precinct have say that they feel confident that “if they keep doing this, they’re going to get caught pretty soon.”

In the meantime, local businesses are double-checking to make sure their security cameras are up and working.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers’ website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.