Another violent week

Blotter Notes

By David Greene

FOOT PURSUIT IN FORDHAM

Additional police officers were called to the scene of a foot pursuit by officers at the intersection of E. Fordham Road and Webster Avenue. The incident was reported at 6:35 p.m., on March 12. The alleged suspect was reported to have been captured in a nearby Wallgreens. No details on what the individual was wanted for, were available.

MT. VERNON SUSPECT CAPTURED IN THE BRONX 

Police in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., responded to a person shot at W. Sanford Boulevard, where the suspects reportedly fled in separate vehicles. 

The incident was first reported at  5:25 p.m., on March 11. One of the suspects was reportedly spotted in the Highbridge section of the borough, where the individual was captured near the Macombs Dam Bridge, after a brief foot chase. 

The victim, identified as Rahsul Watkins, 21, was shot two times by a passing vehicle as he rode a dirt bike. Watkins was rushed to Jacobi Hospital where he died a short time later. A 22-year-old suspect was reportedly being questioned in connection with Watkins' death as well as a second homicide in Mt. Vernon.

HOUSE PARTY HOMICIDE IN MELROSE

Police were called to 752 Elton Avenue, at 6:30 a.m., on March 11, and discovered the body of a male victim who had been shot to death. 

Police say the victim Lamont Edwards, 28, had been shot several times. Unconfirmed reports say the man had just left a house party on the street, when the gunfire erupted. Police had no suspects in the case at this time.

DOUBLE SHOOTING ON LEBANON STREET

Police officers responding to a call of shots fired, discovered two victims who had been robbed and then shot. 

The incident unfolded at just before 1 a.m., on March 11, outside of 1189 Lebanon Street, near Morris Park Avenue. The victims were transported to area hospital's and were expected to recover. Police were reportedly looking for five black males, wearing dark clothing and masks. 

Five hours later, a second shooting was reported several blocks away on Boston Road, where two gunmen reportedly opened fire on a city bus, no injuries were reported in that case. Police were looking for the two male Blacks, who fled in a black Ford Expedition. 

PROSPECT AVENUE STABBING

Officers called to a disturbance, discovered a stabbing victim at Prospect Avenue and E. 152 Street. The incident was reported at just before 10 p.m., on March 10. The victim was removed in critical condition and was not expected to survive. Police were looking for six males who fled down Union Avenue.

If you have witnessed or have information on a violent crime, you may give your information anonymously by calling (800) 577-TIPS or TEXT: Crimes. ENTER: TIPS577.    

Cut Off!

11 Bronx Stores Fined in SLA Sting Operation

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, Mar. 7- Investigators at The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) has announced that they have issued summonses to 118 stores across the city, alleging that they sold liquor to minors. The undercover

operation also netted nearly a dozen violations in the Bronx.

According to the SLA, the violations were issued during a three-day sting operation of liquor stores and bodegas, in an effort to curb underage drinking citywide, between November 16 and November 18, 2011.

Using underage volunteer decoys, members of the SLA and members of the NYPD fanned out across the borough, netting 11 violators out of 25 businesses they visited. Citywide, 41 violators were discovered in Brooklyn, 34 in Queens, 26 in Manhattan and 6 on Staten Island.

Bronx businesses charged with sale to minors are: East 174 Street Deli Grocery, 920 E. 174 Street; First Stop Deli, 1309 Clinton Avenue; JJP Food Center, 1086 Boston Road; Weeks Deli, 1777 Weeks Avenue; Rivas Grocery, 1824 Weeks Avenue; Felomar Grocery, 154 E. 175 Street; Andres Food, 237 E. 194 Street; Nizao Grocery, 2840 Briggs Avenue; Gourmet Deli, 226 E. 198 Street; Deli & Grocery, 29 E. Kingsbridge Road, and the A & A Deli at 361 E. 204 Street.

SLA Chairman Dennis Rosen said of the sting, "Preventing the sale of alcohol to minors is a top priority of the State Liquor Authority. These large scale enforcement efforts will continue to be apart of our proactive measures to prevent alcohol abuse among our youth."

Storeowners convicted of sales to minors face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. Repeat offenders face license suspension or revocation. Those charged with selling to minors were also issued criminal court summonses by the NYPD and the violation is categorized as a class A misdemeanor.

The undercover sting is similar to one conducted back in July, 2011 that targeted shops in Western, New York that resulted in 41 summonses issued and another sting in August targeting businesses in Manhattan that allegedly caught 123 violators.

BAD BET!

Firefighter among those indicted in $2M sports betting ring

BRONX, NEW YORK, Mar. 1- Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the arrest and indictment of eight reputed members or associates of an organized crime family, including a New York City firefighter, for allegedly operating a sports betting and loan-sharking operation that generated profits in excess of $2 million a year.

A grand jury indicted seven of the eight defendants on a top count of Enterprise Corruption, a Class B felony offense punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 25 years imprisonment. Those seven defendants are: Joseph Sarcinella, 77, of Scarsdale, New York, Frank Mastracchio, 56, of the Bronx, Dominick Totino, 44, of the Bronx, Dominick Pietranico, 81, of Mahopac, New York, Bruno Travostino, 81, of Manhattan, John D’Ambrosio, 54, of Bronxville,  New York, and Thomas McMahon, 29, of City Island, the Bronx.

In addition to the Enterprise Corruption charge, those seven people have also been charged with multiple counts of Promoting Gambling in the First Degree, a Class E Felony, Possession of Gambling Records in the First Degree, a Class E Felony, Criminal Usury in the Second Degree, a Class E Felony, and Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor. Frank Mastracchio was also charged with illegal gun possession stemming from the recovery of an illegal hand gun and a sawed-off shotgun during the execution of a search warrant at his home.

An eighth defendant, William Cali, 58, of Bellrose, New York has been indicted on one count of Criminal Usury in the second degree, a Class E Felony offense, and one count of Conspiracy in the fifth degree, a Class A Misdemeanor.

The crimes alleged in the indictments occurred between December 1, 2009 and June 23, 2011.

The charges in the indictments are merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

All of the defendants were arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett. 

It is alleged that the defendants, acting in concert with each other and others, ran an illegal sports betting operation utilizing two gambling wire-rooms at 1500 Mace Avenue and 709 East 189^TH Street. The wire-rooms were staffed by workers who manned telephone lines for the purpose of taking bets, managing betting activity, and setting betting lines and spreads. Additionally, a social club at 1480 Mace Avenue was used to pay out on winning bets and  collect on losing bets.

Several defendants also allegedly engaged in loan-sharking by charging at least one debtor hundreds of dollars a week in interest and fines which amounted to a 100 percent interest rate over a one year period.                                

Information gathered during the course of the investigation indicated various ties between most of the defendants and the Genovese Crime Family. It was also learned that one of the defendants, Thomas McMahon, is currently employed as a firefighter with the FDNY.

Appliances on sale + EXTRA 5% off ALL Appliances or Special Financing with Sears card 2/24-3/1

Bronx Zoo to close Monkey House

BRONX, NEW YORK, Mar. 1- The Bronx Zoo has announced that it will close its 113-year-old Monkey House. Zoo officials said the famous house will be replaced with a new exhibit.

“The Bronx Zoo opened in 1899 and the Monkey House is one of our oldest buildings. Our buildings and exhibits are evaluated on a regular basis. We have decided to close the Monkey House and plan for a new exhibit in the future. This is how the Lion House became “MADAGASCAR!,” said Jim Breheny, Director of the Bronx Zoo and WCS Executive Vice President of Zoos and Aquarium. “Guests can continue to see monkeys in the Congo and JungleWorld. We will keep all posted about future plans for the Monkey House.” 

Appliances on sale + EXTRA 5% off ALL Appliances or Special Financing with Sears card 2/24-3/1

Violent week in Bronx

Police Blotter 

By David Greene

MAN SHOT IN BELMONT... 

Responding to a call of gunfire, police discovered a man shot at E. 184 Street and Hoffman Street, at 9 p.m., on February 28. 

The unidentified victim was reportedly shot as he walked with his pregnant wife when he was shot in his leg an abdomen. He was rushed to nearby St. Barnabas Hospital and was expected to recover. No arrests have been made in the case.

PELHAM BAY HOMICIDE... 

Officers from the 45th Precinct, responding to a call of shots fired, discovered the body of a man in his 40s. He had been shot to death at 2825 Wellman Avenue. 

The incident was reported at just after 8:30 a.m., on February 27. The victim was reportedly found inside the doorway of a two-family home. One unconfirmed report stated that the victim's hands and feet were bound.

Police have not yet released the name of the deceased.

TAXI HITS HOUSE IN PARKCHESTER... 

Rescue crews were called to 1403 Taylor Avenue after a car struck a home.

The incident was reported at 8:25 a.m., on Monday, February 27. Members of the FDNY removed the driver who had been pinned in the auto. According to a surveillance video of the crash, the livery taxi driver appears to have gone through a red light, when he swerved to avoid an approaching vehicle.

The driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Police say no charges would be filed.

DOUBLE STABBING IN WAKEFIELD... 

Police and EMS were called to the scene of a double stabbing in Wakefield. 

The incident was reported at 8:20 a.m., on February 26. Two victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment and were expected to recover. No other details were available at this time.

BEDFORD PARK FIRE INJURES FOUR... 

Members of Battalion 27 were called to a house fire at 2746 Decatur Avenue at E. 197 Street, at 11:45 p.m., on February 25. The blaze was reported on the first-floor of the five-story building. EMS reported four victims, one reported in serious condition, the other three were said to have only minor injuries. The fire was declared under control after about 30 minutes.

POLICE OFFICER INJURED... 

Rescue crews responded to a police car crash in Soundview. 

The incident was reported at the intersection of Westchester Avenue and Olmstead Avenue. One officer was briefly pinned in the crash, which took place at just after 4 a.m., on Saturday, February 25. The officer was removed to a local hospital with neck and back injuries and expected to recover.

ARMED ROBBERY IN FORDHAM... 

Officers from the 52nd Precinct were called to Jerome Avenue and W. Fordham Road for a call of an armed robbery at the location. The incident was reported at 4:10 a.m., on Friday, February 24. Police were reportedly looking for three male Hispanics who fled in a mini van taxi that traveled eastbound on

Fordham Road. Officers at the scene requested the services of the Emergency Service Unit, at 5:25 a.m., to search the rooftop of 49 W. Fordham Road. No arrests have been made and police continue to investigate.

WESTCHESTER SQUARE ROBBERY... 

Police were called to the Westchester Square subway station, where a victim stated they had been robbed in the subway. 

The incident took place at 10:30 p.m., on February 23. Police were reported to be looking for three male Blacks and one male Hispanic, all said to be in their late teens.

BURGLAR NABBED IN NORWOOD.... 

Police arrested on suspect after a reported break in. 

Officers from the 52nd Precinct were called to 3536 Hull Avenue, on February 22. A search conducted by members of the Emergency Services Unit netted the alleged suspect, who

was quickly taken into police custody shortly after the 4 p.m.

incident.

MECHANIC INJURED IN MT. HOPE... 

Police and rescue personnel were called to a garage after a mechanic was injured by a vehicle. 

The accident took place at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, February 21. The victim was conscious  when removed by EMS, but the victim's condition was listed as serious. No other details were available at this time.

LADDER 51 CRASHES IN BRONXWOOD... 

Responding to a two-alarm fire at 957 E. 217 Street, Ladder 51 collided with a mini van at the intersection of Bronxwood Avenue and E. 217 Street. The crash was reported at 1:25 p.m., on Monday, February 20, nearly an hour after the fire had broken out. EMS reported several injuries but could not say if those injuries included any firefighters.

If you have witnessed or have information on a violent crime, you may give your information anonymously by calling 1 (800) 577-TIPS or TEXT: Crimes. ENTER: TIPS577. 

Appliances on sale + EXTRA 5% off ALL Appliances or Special Financing with Sears card 2/24-3/1

Pressure or no Pressure?

DA denies statement regarding fatal police shooting

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, Feb. 29- Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson has denied making a statement attributed to him by New York 1 News, that claimed he had said that his office would not be pressured into an investigation regarding the fatal police shooting of an unarmed teen.

The quote was attributed to Johnson during an exclusive interview that was aired and continued to run on the station's web site for almost two weeks.

Steven Reed, a spokesman for the Bronx District Attorney, stated, "He never said that. If you look at the full interview... he never said that, that's the issue."

During the piece the reporter interjected the alleged misquote and it was also written in a headline of an on-line article regarding the fatal shooting of Ramarley Graham, 18, who was shot dead inside his Wakefield home on February 2.

Reed continued, "We have been a part of this investigation from day one, it's all in that interview. It's an active, on-going investigation... our assistants were at the scene. The matter is under active investigation... he never said what was written."

"I don't know if our headline said he won't be pressured, but he did say, 'I won't be pressured by anybody,' any of the sides involved... He said it in essence, obviously I can't give you a verbatim on something that was done two or three weeks ago." said NY 1 reporter  Dean Meminger.  

Appliances on sale + EXTRA 5% off ALL Appliances or Special Financing with Sears card 2/24-3/1

Bronx is on the rise- BP says

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, Feb. 27- They came from not only all over the Bronx, but from Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, and even as far as Albany to hear the 2012 State of the borough Address by Ruben Diaz Jr. New York City Comptroller John Liu, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, and former City Comptroller Bill Thompson, all four who should be candidates for mayor in 2013 were present. 

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Bronx County Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie, Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, Staten Island Borough President James Molinari (who told me the Bronx has a fine Borough President in Ruben Diaz Jr., and he came all the way from Staten Island because he wanted to hear what BP Diaz had to say). Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. and other members of the Diaz family, former Bronx Borough Presidents Freddie Ferrer and Adolfo Carrion, former City Council speakers Peter Vallone Sr. and Gifford Miller, Ms. Lillian Roberts (the head of DC37, the city's largest union), and state senators, state assembly members, and City Council members to many to name were also there.

BP Diaz was introduced to the audience by Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene, and Diaz went right into his bold agenda for the future of the Bronx. Economic development, education, transportation, and many other issues that face the many different neighborhoods in the Bronx. He spoke of bringing new business to the Bronx, taking advantage of underutilized assets, and growing the economy of the borough in a smart, sustainable way.

Diaz went right into his idea of a green Bronx, by saying that his office was able to convince a Missouri manufacturer of all electric trucks to relocate to the Bronx, and the relocation of home delivery grocer Fresh Direct also to the Bronx over New Jersey. To top it off Diaz said that Fresh Direct would become a customer of Smith Electric by buying electric trucks to deliver their groceries. He added that the Hunts Point Produce Market that was being wooed by New Jersey will stay in the Bronx, beating out New Jersey once again.

Next was the subject of the Kingsbridge Armory. Diaz said in working with the local councilman they created, “The Kingsbridge Armory Task Force,” which reviewed several proposals with the mayor to have the city reissue a request for proposal for the Kingsbridge Armory. On to the MTA, Diaz said that the most utilized 149^th Street station would be undergoing much needed repairs. He added now the Bronx has two strong Bronx resident advocates on the board of the MTA, and that he is pushing for Metro North stations in Hunts Point, Parkchester, Morris Park, and in Co-op City.

Diaz spoke of holding a Bronx Health Summit, just like his Education Summit that was held last year. He went on to say that education is a priority to him, with over 30 percent of his budget going to Bronx schools. He has opened the Bronx Parent Center in two Bronx schools, and will work with schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott to make Bronx schools better.

Diaz then spoke about the living wage fight he was leading, and he thanked City Council Speaker Quinn on her agreement for the “Fair Wages for New Yorkers” act that will soon become law. Diaz then mentioned the different cultural events that his office was proud to sponsor, be it Irish, Italian, Jewish, Muslim, Puerto Rican. African American, South Asian, Dominican, Garifuna, Mexican, and others. He then went into individual projects (too numerous to mention) with the elected officials be it a state senator, member of the state assembly, or member of the city council.

He ended his “State of the Borough” address by saying “Look around the room, and you will see us united working as a team”. “Together as a team we will move the Bronx forward into a new age of success, and as a team we will win.” 



Appliances on sale + EXTRA 5% off ALL Appliances or Special Financing with Sears card 2/24-3/1