Did Groper Strike Near Truman HS?

Did Groper Strike Near Truman HS?

Two Victims Reported in Co-Op City

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 17- Police are hunting a serial groper wanted in 9 recent attacks on girls, teens and young women-- an individual who may have now struck twice in Co-op City.

The still-unidentified suspect had been wanted for nine attacks in the Wakefield, Edenwald, Williamsbridge and Eastchester neighborhoods since February.

The 47th Precinct, which serves those neighborhoods, received 50 additional officers on July 7, due to a recent uptick in violent crime, which may explain the suspect moving to the Co-op City area that is covered by the 45th Precinct.

In the latest incidents reported on Thursday, July 10, a 14 year-old and an 18-year old reported being attacked as they walked over the I-95 overpass along Eastchester Road.

Police were still investigating the latest incidents to determine if it is the same suspect or a copycat.

Outside of Harry S. Truman High School, most students had not heard about the attacker.

One female student recalled, "We were talking to this man yesterday and he was asking for my friend's number," a second girl added, "And we told him were only 15 years-old, but he kept following us and talking to us."

The girls stated that the "buff" brown-skinned man said he had just got back from serving with the U.S. Army.

Waiting for students outside of Truman, a driver with the Consolidated Bus Transport Service suggested, "They should put signs on the busses to alert people of this guy."

On June 24, the NYPD released a wanted flyer with a police composite sketch of the individual wanted for nine separate incidents of forcible touching of females between the ages of 12 and 21.

The first incident was reported on February 13, at 7:50 a.m., when a 14-year-old female was attacked on her way to the subway along Eastchester Road.

On February 15, a second attack was reported by another 14-year-old girl who was violated by the creep as she walked passed the intersection of Burke Avenue and Eastchester Road at 9:30 a.m.

The pervert waited more than a month when he struck again, this time he inappropriately touched a 13 year-old as she walked along Magenta Street at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, March 28.

A fourth incident was reported on Monday, April 28, when he grabbed a 13 year-old from behind as she walked near Baychester Avenue at 8 a.m.

Again waiting more than a month, he struck again on Thursday, May 29, when the suspect jogged up to an 18 year-old victim and forcibly touched her in the area of Burke Avenue.

The suspect struck again the following day when he approached and attacked a 12 year-old victim in the area of East 233 Street.

On Monday, June 9, a 16 year-old reported she was attacked at 6:55 a.m., along Boston Road.

On Wednesday, June 11, at 8:15 a.m. a 21-year-old woman reported a forcible touching attack as she walked along Fish Avenue. Fifteen minutes later a 12 year-old reported a similar incident as she walked along Schieffelin Avenue.

Although traumatized, none of the victims were physically injured.

Police describe the suspect as 20 year-old black male, 5 foot 10, thin build and was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, blue jeans and black sneakers. Investigators say the suspect also has a scar under his right eye.

A similar crime pattern was reported in the area of the most recent attacks, along the Eastchester Road footbridge leading to Co-Op City between September, 2010 and June, 2011.

In that string of groping incidents three, 19-year-old females were attacked by a black man between 22 and 28 years-old, 5 foot 6 tall and weighing 160 to 180 Pounds. Police could not immediately say if this suspect was ever apprehended.

The attacks have prompted a local citizens group called the New York Hero Imitative to patrol the affected neighborhoods in searching for the suspect and passing out flyers to residents.

One group member, "Spectre" said the group was encouraged by the communities reaction to their presence and added, "We're going to re-visit a few areas where we had some promising leads on this case."

One source at the local community board stated that the local community was informed of the attacks in mid-May, after a fourth attack was reported.

One police official questioned could not explain the delay in alerting the public to the pattern-crime.

The source added that detectives and police are in the process of going back to all nine locations in a search for surveillance video of the suspect.

Anyone with any information on the suspect is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls remain confidential.

City Island News BX: $10G Reward for Pizza Shop Killer

City Island News BX: $10G Reward for Pizza Shop Killer: $10G Reward for Pizza Shop Killer BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 16- The FBI is now offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leadi...

$10G Reward for Pizza Shop Killer

$10G Reward for Pizza Shop Killer

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 16- The FBI is now offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Antoine D. Burroughs.

Burroughs, aka Butter or Youngblood, is 25 years old, is 6 foot 1, weighs approximately 180 to 190 pounds, and has a prominent mole on his right cheek. He was last known to be in Harlem, and he is believed to have family and friends in Harlem and the Bronx.

According to the allegations in the superseding indictment unsealed on March 18, 2014, in Manhattan federal court and on other documents in the public record: On September 9, 2009, Burroughs and his accomplice, Leon Whitfield, attempted to rob an individual named Bartolomeo Antoniello at his home in Queens, New York. Burroughs and Whitfield were targeting the cash proceeds of Antoniello’s pizza shop. Antoniello’s son, Gerardo Antoniello, was home at the time and attempted to protect his father. During the struggle, Gerardo Antoniello was shot in the head and later died of his injuries. He was 29 years old.

Burroughs is charged with one count of robbery conspiracy and one count of attempted robbery; one count of discharging a firearm; and one count of murder. Whitfield was arrested on March 18, 2014, by FBI agents.

“The public can play an important role in capturing fugitives by alerting law enforcement if they have information. If you have a tip, pick up the phone and call us,” said FBI spokesman Christos Sinos. “Your help can really make a difference.”

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Burroughs is urged to contact law enforcement immediately. The FBI can be reached 24 hours a day at (212) 384-1000. Burroughs should be considered armed and extremely dangerous.

City Island News BX: Bring Back #Stop-n-Frisk?

City Island News BX: Bring Back #Stop-n-Frisk?: Bring Back #Stop-n-Frisk? Activist Blames Mayor for Shootings By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 14-  Civic activist Frank...

Bring Back #Stop-n-Frisk?

Bring Back #Stop-n-Frisk?

Activist Blames Mayor for Shootings

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 14- Civic activist Frank Belcher said Mayor de Blasio’s decision to overturn the city’s stop-and-frisk policy has triggered a recent spike in shooting in various parts of the city.

Belcher, a vocal supporter of Mayor Bloomberg’s aggressive approaches to fighting crime, stressed, this week, that de Blasio, through his words and deeds, has fostered an atmosphere of permissiveness among those who might be considering breaking the law.

“If we’re not careful, we’re going to see shootings in the city like they now have in the city of Chicago,” Belcher stressed. “As a society, we have to be far more concerned about victims of crime than about the rights of those who commit crimes. In short, we have to stop coddling the criminals.”

Belcher added, “The city needs to re-institute Mayor Bloomberg’s stop-and-frisk policy. The city had a much better handle in the fight against crime when Bloomberg was our mayor.”

The civic activist stressed, “Mayor Bloomberg, unlike his successor, understood that you can’t coddle criminals. He understood that aggressive action was needed to prevent the criminals from getting the upper hand over law-abiding citizens.”

Belcher’s comments in support of Bloomberg’s stop-and-frisk policy were similar to those expressed, this week, by State Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr.

Diaz said that the city needs to re-institute the stop-and frisk policy to stem the recent tide of violence that has victimized New Yorkers, especially those in minority communities.

City Island News BX: Serial Groper Strikes Throughout #Bronx

City Island News BX: Serial Groper Strikes Throughout #Bronx: Serial Groper Strikes Throughout #Bronx Groper Wanted in Nine Attacks Since February By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, J...

Serial Groper Strikes Throughout #Bronx

Serial Groper Strikes Throughout #Bronx

Groper Wanted in Nine Attacks Since February

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 9- Police are hunting a serial grouper wanted in nine recent attacks on girls, teens and young women in the Wakefield, Edenwald, Williamsbridge and Eastchester neighborhoods.

On June 24, the NYPD released a flyer with a police composite sketch of the individual wanted for nine separate incidents of forcible touching of females between the ages of 12 and 21.

The first incident was reported on February 13, at 7:50 a.m., when a 14-year-old female was attacked on her way to the subway along Eastchester Road.

On Saturday, February 15 a second attack was reported by another 14-year-old girl who was violated by the creep as she walked passed the intersection of Burke Avenue and Eastchester Road at 9:30 a.m.

The pervert waited more then a month when he struck again. This time he inappropriately touched a 13 year-old as she walked along Magenta Street at 7:30 a.m. on March 28.

A fourth incident was reported on April 28, when he grabbed a 13 year-old from behind as she walked near Baychester Avenue at 8 a.m.

Again waiting more than a month, he struck again on May 29, when the suspect jogged up to an 18-year-old victim and forcibly touched her in the area of Burke Avenue.

The suspect struck again the following day when he approached and attacked a 12 year-old victim in the area of East 233 Street.

On June 9, a 16 year-old reported she was attacked a 6:55 a.m., along Boston Road.

In his last two attacks, reported on June 11, at 8:15 a.m. a 21-year-old woman reported a forcible touching attack as she walked along Fish Avenue. Fifteen minutes later a 12 year-old reported a similar incident as she walked along Schieffelin Avenue.

Although traumatized, none of the victims were physically injured.

Police describe the suspect as 20 year-old black male, 5 foot 10, thin build and was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, blue jeans and black sneakers. Investigators say the suspect also has a scar under his right eye.

The attacks have prompted a local citizens group called the New York Hero Imitative to patrol the effected neighborhoods in searching for the suspect and passing out flyers to residents.

One group member, "Spectre" said the group was encouraged by the community's reaction to their presence and added, "We're going to re-visit a few areas where we had some promising leads on this case."

One source at the local community board stated that the local community was informed of the attacks in mid-May. One police official questioned could not explain the delay in alerting the public to the pattern-crime.

The source says detectives and police are in the process of going back to all nine locations and are searching for surveillance video of the suspect.

Meanwhile, 50 additional cops start hitting the street's today (July 7) at the 47th Precinct. The manpower will attempt to combat the recent uptick in violent crime in the area.

Anyone with any information on the suspect is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls remain confidential.

City Island News BX: #Toys R Us

City Island News BX: #Toys R Us: ID Thieves Rip Off Toy Store By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 7- Cops are asking for the public’s help in trying to track down a...

#Toys R Us

ID Thieves Rip Off Toy Store

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 7- Cops are asking for the public’s help in trying to track down a couple who made off with a dirt bike from a local Toys R Us.

At around 1:30 p.m. on June 21, cops say the couple used a stolen credit card to purchase a MX500 Dirt Rocket bike from Toys R Us in the Bruckner Mall. The item is priced at $449.99 according to the company’s website. 

The store’s surveillance cameras captured the couple wheeling the item out the front door of the toy store.

The suspect is described as a black male, medium build, with facial hair. He was last seen wearing sunglasses and a white t-shirt. His accomplice is described as a black woman with long hair, medium build. She was last seen wearing sunglasses, a multicolored shirt and pants, a black jacket, black sandals, and carrying a brown purse. 

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

City Island News BX: Get Out of Jail Free Card for Sea Crook?

City Island News BX: Get Out of Jail Free Card for Sea Crook?: Get Out of Jail Free Card for Sea Crook?  Disgraced Council #Seabrook may get out of Jail early By Michael Horowitz BRONX, N...

Get Out of Jail Free Card for Sea Crook?

Get Out of Jail Free Card for Sea Crook?

 Disgraced Council #Seabrook may get out of Jail early

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 2- Former City Councilman Larry Seabrook, who is in the midst of serving a five-year jail sentence, could be a free man much sooner than most of his former constituents thought he would.

That’s because the U. S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals has sent the former Councilman’s case back to Manhattan Federal Court over what many lay people would view as a legal technicality.

The appeals court, after a review of the facts in the case, has the power to order a third trial of the former Bronx lawmaker.

The judges in the Court of Appeals have sent the case back to the Manhattan Federal Court in response to the former lawmaker’s claim that he was denied his right to a public trial because three of his supporters were excluded from the courtroom during the jury selection.

The appeals court found that Seabrook’s appeal had merit based on the law. However, the court determined that it needed additional information on the exact circumstances relating to the jury selection before rendering a judgment on the former lawmaker’s appeal.

In his appeal of his July 2012 conviction on corruption charges, Seabrook charged that his brother, Oliver Seabrook; a friend, Carl Green, and a former constituent, Stuart Edwards, were instructed by the judge’s deputy to leave their seats to make them available for jurors.

Seabrook, in his appeal, also claimed that the media were excluded from the jury selection in his case.

"Excluding the public and the media was an error … and the integrity and public reputation of the proceedings were adversely affected by the `secret’ jury selection in this high-profile case,” Seabrook claimed, in his appeal of his July conviction on corruption charges.

Prosecutors, expressing another view, have said that the individuals who were told to give up their seats were not told to leave the courtroom.

The judge in the Seabrook case, Deborah Batts, was responsible for the vacating of a separate conviction in 2012 on grounds that are similar to those in the former lawmaker’s case.

In July 2012, a federal jury found Seabrook guilty of misdirecting hundreds of thousands of dollars for community projects to his girlfriend and relatives.

An earlier trial of Seabrook, in December 2011, resulted in a hung jury, when those on the panel couldn’t agree on whether or not the former Councilman was guilty or innocent.

City Island News BX: Pick Pocket

City Island News BX: Pick Pocket: Sticky Fingers Shops Along #Fordham Road Cops Release Pic of Pick Pocket By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 27- Call her ...

Pick Pocket

Sticky Fingers Shops Along #Fordham Road

Cops Release Pic of Pick Pocket

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 27- Call her Fordham’s most wanted. Cops are looking for a serial pickpocket who ripped off shoppers along Fordham Road over a six-month period.

Police released a photo of a sticky-fingered suspect, they say, struck at a Marshalls store seven times. The thief also struck other businesses in the Fordham shopping district including a Children’s Place, a cell phone store and a Burlington Coat Factory.

In incidents dating back to January, cops say the suspect repeatedly robbed shoppers at the Marshalls store, located at 2501 Grand Concourse, and made off with cash and credit cards. In those cases, the suspect took either victim’s wallet or purse and made off with cash ranging from $200 to $5. 

As spring arrived, the crook upped her game. On April 17, the thief struck at a T-Mobile store on Fordham Road. The suspect made off with a 63 year-old’s bag which contained a laptop, two cellphones and chargers.  

On May 3rd, the thief made off with a 70-year-old woman’s paycheck worth $1,044. The victim had put her property containing her paycheck on the counter of a supermarket when the thief helped herself.

The suspect is described as a 40-year-old black woman who is 5 foot 5 and weighs 135 pounds. She was last seen wearing a turquoise shirt and a beige hat.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

City Island News BX: Yankees Headin’ Back to the Top?

City Island News BX: Yankees Headin’ Back to the Top?: Yankees Headin’ Back to the Top? Fans Think So By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 20- A three-game sweep over Toronto has ...

Yankees Headin’ Back to the Top?

Yankees Headin’ Back to the Top?

Fans Think So

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 20- A three-game sweep over Toronto has the New York Yankees feeling confident. And it should carry towards more momentum Friday night when the Baltimore Orioles come to Yankee Stadium for three more But the Blue Jays are a team the Yankees have to chase in the AL east and Thursday night they got closer to the first place Jays.

David Phelps continued to be a momentum builder on the mound, and the Yankees once again scored first and tacked on runs. The bullpen took over as the Yankees won their third straight, 4-2.

A week ago, the Yankees had that continued issue of situational hitting missing from the lineup. The captain, Derek Jeter, struggled and Carlos Beltran, one of their key off- season free agent acquisitions, was coming off the disabled list. The past three nights in the Bronx, and against a powerful Toronto lineup, the Yankees looked like a first place team.

They are now tied in the loss column with Toronto, 1/1-2 games from first place. Does a chase for first place in mid-June have anything to do with this resurgence, or is this just the part of a long baseball season?

 “There is a lot of meaning to these games,” manager Joe Girardi commented. His team has won seven of their past nine games. “We all understand that, and we know they understand that. When you face each other 19 times, you look to try to catch people, put some distance between some people and win series."

The Yankees swept a series for the fourth time this season. This one, though, had significance with a stretch of 15 consecutive games against divisional opponents. The Orioles will present a challenge and Tampa Bay, in the cellar, always does. These were the first place Blue Jays who have gone 3-9 over their last 12 games, and been on top since the 22^nd of May.

"Hey, if you're going to play in prime time, you've got to perform on the big stage and we didn't do it," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "We're fully capable of doing it. We just didn't do it. It'll be definitely good to move on.”

The Blue Jays move on. They will have time to figure out a way to break a 16-game losing streak at Yankee Stadium. Their next stint in the Bronx is scheduled at the end of next month.

The Yankees are looking at the positive side of things. The past three games everything came together, something they projected themselves to do with their off-season spending spree that surpassed $450 million in free agents. Brian McCann, the catcher, who had a go ahead home run the night before, realized the significance of winning three against the front runners.   

“We were able to score some runs,” he commented. “Swinging the bat better…It’s hard to pinpoint one thing. We’re putting together better consistent at bats. It’s big to win games. Obviously when you play teams in your division, you want to win.”

McCann is swinging the bat better. “We’re playing better baseball than we were the past couple of weeks,” he said. Jeter has been getting on base, a .405 clip in his last nine games and Brett Gardner, 1-for-3, Thursday night is batting .366, 15-for-41 over his last ten games.

"Big series for us," Adam Warren said. The reliever earned his second save of the season after retiring two Blue Jays’ in the ninth. The closer David Robertson needed a night off after pitching the first two games of the series.

 "It's nice to kind of see our team click a little bit and play some good baseball,” said Warren

These are words being said by a Yankees team that was looking for answers last week. That included the final two games out in Oakland that did not go their way. And, yes, everything is clicking, even with this contingency of a starting rotation because three quarters of the regulars are on the disabled list.

Aside from Masahiro Tanaka, and his 11-1 record, the manager is elated what he is getting from Chase Whitley and Vidal Nuno. Then there is David Phelps, (3-4) who tossed seven-innings and gave up two runs with a good back door cutter and curve, but allowed a home run to Melky Cabrera in the third inning.

“Refreshing to see guys like Chase (Whitley), one of the biggest things that motivated me,” Phelps commented. The sweep, it’s huge. We gotta win games against them.”

And winning games during this divisional stretch is what the Yankees did. Time will tell if this division will continue to be bunched with teams in September, and that also includes the Red Sox who may not be ready to give up their World Series crown.

We do know this though: Three games have sent a message that the Yankees intend to be a part of this equation by September.  

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com

City Island News BX: Chase Whitley

City Island News BX: Chase Whitley: Chasing Success for #Yank Pitcher Whitley get another quality start and timely hits in win over first place Jays By Rich Mancuso ...

Chase Whitley

Chasing Success for #Yank Pitcher

Whitley get another quality start and timely hits in win over first place Jays

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 19- Chase Whitley has become valuable to the New York Yankees pitching rotation and there is no telling how more valuable he will become. Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, in his seventh start, Whitley gave manager Joe Girardi another five good innings. A revived Yankees offense got the early lead and tacked on runs.

All is going good again in the Bronx, even the bullpen did their job in a 7-3 win over the first place Toronto Blue Jays.

For the second straight night the Yankees handed the first place Blue Jays a loss, the 25th straight home win over Toronto dating back to September 19, of 2012. But the important point for the Yankees was another win with good pitching, and the timely hit. All of a sudden first place is getting close and that seemed to be slipping away as of a week ago when they lost two of three games out in Oakland.

If they sweep the three-game series Thursday night, well first place will be a game-and-a half away. The Yankees would also be even in the loss column with Toronto.

There are two aspects to consider with the Yankees during this current string of games with opponents from the AL East. One is how the first place Jays suddenly, are not as invincible as they were a week ago. The other is, the Yankees are 6-2 in their last eight games and are doing things that have not been evident much.

And, the unexpected quality starts are contributing to a revival in the Bronx. Whitley allowed two earned runs and improved to 3-0 after starting his season with four straight no decisions.

“Did not know what to expect when he came up,” Girardi said. “We have never seen him as a starter. So our expectations have changed a lot.

The right-hander threw 95 pitches and has been a pleasant addition to the rotation. Whitley made his Major League debut against the cross-town Mets on May 15th after being summoned from Triple-A Scranton. The Yankees needed a starter in the rotation due to their rash of injuries.

He could be here longer, because, Girardi and the Yankees now know what to expect. Whitley has made a claim to stay in the Bronx. Eventually he will increase his length of time on the mound, and he could be a part of a rotation when the inflamed right knee of CC Sabathia heels and that may require more time.

Though he has not been in the Bronx that long, Whitley has adjusted and was talking like a veteran. He said, the command was not his best. He also gave credit to his catcher, Brian McCann who tied a career high with five runs batted in. The big hit was McCann’s two-run homer in the fourth inning that put New York ahead, 3-2.

There is also a difference in the Yankees clubhouse, and winning will do that.

“We’re relaxed and having fun,” Whitley commented. “It comes with winning, that’s contagious.”

He has learned quickly what it takes to be a winning pitcher, and of course the big hit and night from McCann helped the cause.

"It was about time I chipped it in, and tonight was a good night to do that," McCann said. "It was just nice to contribute… on the offensive side for a change." He also had a bases loaded triple, and this is the type of offense the Yankees have been expecting from their catcher who has been struggling to get the big hit at home.

McCann was hitting .174 in June. It was the type of game he needed and it came off the Jays’ best starter, Mark Buehrie, (10-4) who remained winless in his last 13 starts against the Yankees.

Girardi said, “We really believe in him as an offensive force and he showed it tonight. A couple tough lefties he's facing and he drives in five. He's done a great job behind home plate. He's never taken it behind home plate."

He added, “This is the team we are chasing. These games are extremely important playing teams within your own division.”

Two straight wins over Toronto. These are the games the Yankees need to win and they may be doing it at the right time with more than half a season of games left to play. There is no telling where this new feel of winning will take them. For now though, the Yankees are enjoying it and look for the sweep Thursday night.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com

City Island News BX: Turnstile Jumpers Turn Arrest into NYPD Melee

City Island News BX: Turnstile Jumpers Turn Arrest into NYPD Melee: Turnstile Jumpers Turn Arrest into NYPD Melee Photo by Andre Rivera By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- A small army ...

Turnstile Jumpers Turn Arrest into NYPD Melee

Turnstile Jumpers Turn Arrest into NYPD Melee

Photo by Andre Rivera

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- A small army of NYPD patrolmen responded after witnesses say an of out-of-control suspect had to be subdued.

Sources say a male and female were arrested for jumping the turnstile of the Number 2 train at the Prospect Avenue station at 2:15 p.m. on June 12.

The male suspect began kicking the window of the patrol car, when additional officers were called to remove and eventually restrain him.

One unconfirmed report stated that one of the 200 bystanders was also arrested for filming the incident, but that could not immediately be confirmed with the NYPD.   

City Island News BX: Subway Perv Sought by Cops

City Island News BX: Subway Perv Sought by Cops: Subway Perv Sought by Cops By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- Cops are asking for the public’s help to catch a man who e...

Subway Perv Sought by Cops

Subway Perv Sought by Cops

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- Cops are asking for the public’s help to catch a man who exposed himself to a 10-year-old girl on the #5 train.

At around 11 a.m. on May 11, a man boarded the #5 subway train at the Dyre Avenue station. Once the subway doors closed, the man exposed himself to a 10-year-old girl and a 42-year-old woman. Cops say the suspect fled the train at the Gun Hill Road Station.

Police released surveillance video of the suspect from the subway station. He is described as a black male in his 50s. He is six foot six and weighs 245 pounds.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577. 

All calls are confidential.

City Island News BX: Tanaka Terminates Toronto

City Island News BX: Tanaka Terminates Toronto: Tanaka Terminates Toronto Raises Mark to 11-1 as Yanks Top Blue Jays (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW Y...

Tanaka Terminates Toronto

Tanaka Terminates Toronto

Raises Mark to 11-1 as Yanks Top Blue Jays

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- Masahiro Tanaka continued his sensational pitching as he earned his 11^th win of the year. 

The 3-2 win of the Yanks over the Toronto Blue Jays was the 14^th consecutive victory of the Yanks over their Canadian rivals in games played in the Bronx. The victory cut the deficit for the second place Yankees to 3.5 games behind the American League East leading Blue Jays. 

Yankees skipper Joe Girardi commented, “You want to close as much ground as you can.”

As has happened in each of Tanaka’s 14 games this season, the major story of the game is his performance on the mound. The 25 year-old has thrown a “quality start” in each of his 14 appearances in the majors. He is only the second pitcher to pitch at least six innings and give up three runs or less in each of his first 14 major league starts in more than a century. Steve Rogers of the Montreal Expos achieved that feat in 1973.

Former Met shortstop Jose Reyes hit the first pitch of the game into the stands in right for a home run. After the game Tanaka, recalled, “I think it was the first time in my career that I gave up a first pitch home run. It threw me off my rhythm.” After two batters were retired, two Blue Jays batters hit singles in the inning. 

Girardi described the first pitch in the following manner, “He [Tanaka] just threw a pitch right down the middle and Reyes knows this park very well.”

Although Tanaka expressed disappointment with his performance after the game, he only yielded two additional hits in the five other innings he pitched. He walked two, yielded five hits and fanned 10, double figures for the fifth time this year. His 113 strikeouts in his first 14 starts in the big leagues is third in history. His season ERA dropped after the contest to a minuscule 1.99.

Most importantly for the Yankees, the Japanese native did not yield a run after his first pitch. He was removed after six because of his pitch count of 104. 

Girardi was profuse in his praise of Tanaka throughout the season, “His stuff is pretty good and he knows how to use it and make adjustments. It’s hard not to say that his start is as good as anyone I know. I don’t think it’s fair to expect that from anyone. It’s just remarkable.”

Another experienced eye, that of the Yankees veteran captain, Derek Jeter, saw very similar to what the Yankee manager did in watching Tanaka, “He’s pretty much done that every time out. His ability to make adjustments from hitter to hitter is probably the most impressive thing. He makes adjustments throughout the game.” 

The self-critical rookie disagreed with the assessments of Jeter and Girardi, “I don’t feel I was making adjustments tonight. I was just trying to keep the ball down.” 

However he performed as he has done this season, it should be noted that Tanaka leads the American League in wins, winning percentage and ERA. 

The Yankee relievers, Dellin Betances in two innings and David Robertson in the ninth, did not give up a run.

Rookie Chase Whitley and veteran Mark Buehrle will be the starting pitchers in the second game of the three game set on Wednesday night.

City Island News BX: Perv Teacher

City Island News BX: Perv Teacher: Perv Teacher Faces 14 Years in Attack on 10 Year Old Student (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 16-...

Perv Teacher

Perv Teacher Faces 14 Years in Attack on 10 Year Old Student

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 16- A former Bronx teacher charged in the unthinkable crime of a sex attack on a 10-year-old special education student, has pled guilty to the horrific crime.

The Bronx District Attorney announced that former 5th-grade teacher Anthony Criscuolo, 41, has pled guilty to first-degree felony rape and will be sentenced next month.

Police sources stated at the time that Criscuolo was a teacher at P.S. 386 in University Heights and had told the victim's family that she had won an award.

The unidentified 10 year old was attacked by her teacher inside his car on that spring afternoon in June, 2013.

Criscuolo had faced 25 years in prison, but the district attorney's office agreed to the deal in an effort to "not further traumatize this young victim" with the added ordeal of a public trial.

Criscuolo has also agreed to surrender his teaching license and be added to the sex offenders registry. Upon completing his sentence, Criscuolo will also be required to 18 years of post-release monitoring.   

City Island News BX: Little Italy Feast

City Island News BX: Little Italy Feast: Little Italy Feast Photos by Gary Quintal Italians and would-be Italians came out to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony on Arth...

Little Italy Feast

Little Italy Feast

Photos by Gary Quintal

Italians and would-be Italians came out to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony on Arthur Avenue. Music, rides and of course food were on hand to celebrate. A procession was held in which the statue of the saint was carried throughout the neighborhood.

City Island News BX: Stone-faced Park Gunman gets 44 Years

City Island News BX: Stone-faced Park Gunman gets 44 Years: Stone-faced Park Gunman gets 44 Years By Michael Brown Jr. and David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 16- A young man has been se...

Stone-faced Park Gunman gets 44 Years

Stone-faced Park Gunman gets 44 Years

By Michael Brown Jr. and David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 16- A young man has been sentenced to 44 years to life in prison for a triple shooting and double murder. The horror began with a dispute on the basketball courts in Devoe Park and ended in gunfire and death on the streets of University Heights.

After a five-week trial, Yenfri Ramirez, 20, was convicted by a jury in the shooting deaths of Edwin Liz, 17, and Allan Matos, 22, and the wounding of Efren Estrada, 39, that occurred in the early evening of April 7, 2011.

Ramirez, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, was found guilty in Bronx Supreme Court on the charges of murder in the second degree for shooting Liz, manslaughter in the second degree for shooting Matos, and assault in the second degree for wounding Estrada as well as criminal possession of a firearm in the second degree.

The altercation between the defendant and his victims stemmed from an earlier fight inside Devoe Park on University Avenue and West Fordham Road, when Ramirez had entered the fray after learning that the fight involved his brother.

The prosecutor claimed Ramirez lured his victims into chasing him to Fordham Road and West University Place, where he turned around and fired three shots from a .38-caliber revolver.

Edwin Liz was fatally shot in the back of the neck, while Allan Matos died from a gunshot wound to the back. Efren Estrada was shot in the leg and survived.

A police officer testified witnessing the shooting and responding officers discovered the murder weapon just steps away from where Ramirez was stopped.

At Ramirez' sentencing hearing held on May 29, Judge Barbara Newman stated she took into account Ramirez' age at the time of the shooting and also the fact that Ramirez had no previous convictions.

“This is a very sad day and difficult day however, circumstances have brought us here,” she said in her opening statement. It wasn't long after that the parents of the victims, read their "impact statements" to Ramirez who sat coldly indifferent to the whole ordeal.

Sentiments of families were often ones of revenge and justice for the cold-blooded murder of their siblings.

“I would like this man to be treated in the same way [as my son] by spending the rest of his life behind four walls,” said Reynaldo Liz, the father of Edwin Liz, via a translator.

“May God forgive you, because I never will,” said the mother of Allen Matos as she briefly looked to Ramirez who did not turn in her direction.

Ramirez, however, maintained his innocence until the end. “I ask forgiveness for what happened, but I didn't kill anyone.”

Ramirez was sentenced to 23 years for murder in the second degree, 21 years for manslaughter in the second degree, 3 years for assault in the second degree, and 5 years for criminal possession of a weapon all of which will be served consecutively except the assault and criminal possession which will be served concurrently.

Ramirez' defense attorney Maria Tobia had pointed to unknown DNA found by investigators on the trigger of the murder weapon, but that wasn't enough to sway the jury.

Tobia has vowed to appeal the conviction.

City Island News BX: Bronx Science Loses PSAL Championship

City Island News BX: Bronx Science Loses PSAL Championship: Bronx Science Loses PSAL Championship By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 13 - Two very unlikely public high school baseball te...