Man Poses As Police Officer, DEA Agent In Bronx Break-Ins, NYPD Says
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man is wanted for posing as law enforcement to rip off apartments in the Bronx, police said.
As CBS2's Alice Gainer reported, he seems to be hiding his face, but police are hoping someone can make out his identity.
They say he has broken into apartments and stolen jewelry while pretending to be a cop, on two occasions.
The suspect first struck on Sept. 9 in the East Bronx. Police said a 28-year-old woman found the suspect in her apartment, stuffing jewelry into a bag.
He identified himself as a police officer and said he was conducting an investigation. The victim didn't buy it and tried to take the bag. The suspect managed to get away with $2,800 worth of jewelry, police said.
Police think he got in to the apartment through an unlocked kitchen window.
The landlord said in the 6 years she's been in the building this is the first time she's heard of something like this.
"You have to lock your door," she said.
Neighbors in the area agree that things like that don't normally happen in the area, but weren't totally surprised.
"I lock, I got cameras, I got everything," Pino Spiniello said.
The suspect struck again exactly one month later in North Riverdale. Police said a 25-year-old man left his apartment door unlocked while he went to walk his dog, and when he came back, the door was locked.
When the victim got into the apartment, he found the suspect in his bedroom.
Police said the suspect identified himself as a DEA agent, told the victim he was looking for drugs and demanded his ID.
He then took off with two Bulova watches worth $500, a $300 Samsung watch, a Swatch worth $199, a $200 bracelet and $10 in cash, police said.
As police look for the suspect they offered a reminder -- lock your door and always ask for a badge.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, visit the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.
