Plumbing the Depths: Cops seek unknown crook who ripped off plumbing supplies from Ridge building

Cops are on the hunt for a crook who hit two apartment buildings in Bay Ridge on the same day earlier this month.

Police say the unknown suspect unsuccessfully attempted to break into a building at 74th Street and Fifth Avenue at about 10:35 a.m. on Thurs., Jan. 3. He tried to pry open the basement door, according to authorities, but was confronted by the building superintendent and fled eastbound on 74th Street in a gray, four-door sedan.

Less than an hour later, the perp tried his luck again at another building, this one at Fort Hamilton Parkway and 86th Street, where, at about 11:30 a.m., he got into the building after ringing several doorbells, and raided two basement closets, making off with a shopping cart, plumbing supplies and scrap metal.

Cops describe the suspect as a Hispanic man, with a beard; he was last seen wearing a blue hooded sweater, a red shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers.

Anyone with information about the suspect 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 public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com, on Twitter @NYPDTips or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.