The Bronx
Three men groped and assaulted a woman before robbing her in University Heights, cops said. One of the robbers sexually molested the 51-year-old woman, grabbing her buttocks as he and his cohorts confronted her on Grand Concourse near East 178th Street on Feb. 8 at 9 a.m., cops said. The woman turned around to defend herself and the brutes punched her and grabbed $200 from her wallet which she had dropped, police said. The men then spotted a witness to the robbery and started kicking and punching him before snatching his cellphone and taking off, according to cops.
Manhattan
Police are searching for two men wanted for breaking into an elderly woman’s Upper West Side apartment last December and stealing $2,150 in jewelry, cops said. The 75-year-old victim left her home on Columbus Avenue near West 100th Street at about 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 30 and when she returned at approximately 3 p.m., she realized her hallway light was on and bedroom had been ransacked, cops said. Police believe the thieves came in through the front door before fleeing with the jewelry, cops added. The suspects are believed to be approximately 6-feet tall and have medium-to-heavy builds.
A 52-year-old man was attacked and robbed in Chelsea last Friday, authorities said. The man was walking near the corner of Ninth Avenue and West 26th Street around 1:10 a.m., when Ramel Pettiway and Kashiem Britt, both 23, allegedly pummeled the victim and grabbed his cellphone, law enforcement sources said. Both suspects were arrested and charged with robbery and assault, according to police. The victim suffered a cut lip, bruises on his head and swelling to his jaw, authorities said.
A man who earns cash by holding a place in line for tickets and popular consumer products is being harassed by a competitor on the West Side, sources said. The 39-year-old victim has received phone calls and texts from the rival since last July, law enforcement sources added. The foe calls and sends instant messages using profanity and homophobic slurs, sources said. The most recent verbal attacks occurred last Thursday, but the suspect has not been identified and no arrests have been made.
An Ontario woman returned home with her luggage a little lighter after her Tiffany jewelry was stolen in Hell’s Kitchen, sources said. The 24-year-old victim was staying at the Silver Suites Residences on West 42nd Street and Eleventh Avenue. She left a bracelet and a necklace inside the unit she rented when she left her unit on March 3 at about 8:20 a.m., sources said. She returned at 4 p.m. to find the door open and her valuables were missing, sources added. No arrests have been made and police do not have a description of the suspect.
Queens
Two men were arrested on Monday for a murder at a Richmond Hill gas station, cops said. Charles Williams, 26, and Moeleek Harrell, 25, were both charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the shooting death of 28-year-old Derek Quattlebaum on Jan. 20. Witnesses gave cops the getaway car’s Vermont license plate and police were able to track down Williams, police sources said. Harrell also was arrested Monday morning following an investigation, according to police. Police say both men were involved in the shooting of Quattelbaum while he was filling his car with gas.
Staten Island
An Eltingville man driving with no front license plate refused to pull over his car, blew a stop sign, and then resisted arrest, law enforcement sources said. A patrol car tried to pull over John Burriesci, 18, on Hylan Boulevard and Arden Avenue on March 6 at about 9:30 a.m., according to a criminal complaint. Instead of stopping, Burriesci became reckless and began driving on the wrong side of the road above the speed limit, causing three cars to hit the brakes to avoid a collision, sources said. Burriesci finally stopped when he got to his home and refused to cooperate with police when asked for his license and registration. He was charged with obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and reckless driving.