Crime Watch 01.23.25

Shoplifting Suspect Arrested after Striking Trader Joe’s Employee

An employee inside the Trader Joe’s store at 670 Columbus Ave. near West 92nd St. reported that at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 2, a 54-year-old man grabbed items of merchandise and put them into his bags. When he tried to leave the store without paying for the goods, staff members approached him. The suspect then dropped the bags and assumed a fighting stance while cursing and making threats. He said, “I’m not leaving without that bag!” before pushing staff members and hitting one with a closed fist to the right side of the victim’s face, causing pain and swelling. Danny Kennedy was duly arrested and charged with robbery. The items stolen included a canvas bag, dark chocolate cake, chocolate muffins, cocoa milk and alpine honey, totaling $53.

Man Charged for Robbing and Attacking his Girlfriend

A 50-year-old woman told police that at 4:35 p.m. on Jan. 5, her 43-year-old boyfriend came to her apartment at 55 West 100th St. near Columbus Ave., where they got into a verbal dispute. He then grabbed both her arms and threw her on the floor, causing a minor bruise on her right arm. He next took her watch and two pairs of sneakers without permission or authority. The victim refused medical attention at the scene, and Ramon Pons was arrested and charged with robbery. The items stolen included an Apple Watch Series 7, New Balance sneakers and Nike Dunk sneakers, totaling $760.

Woman Begging for Money Arrested after Hitting Senior

According to police, at 12:58 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2024, an 81-year-old woman had just left the Cathedral Post Office and crossed to the south side of the street when she was approached outside 214 W. 104th St. between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. by a 44-year-old homeless woman begging for money. The beggar then hit the senior with a closed fist to the left side of her face, causing pain. The victim was treated on scene by an EMS team, and Jennifer Vasquez was arrested and charged with assault.

Elderly Man Victim of Random Street Assault

A 75-year-old man said that at 1030 a.m. on Jan. 3, he was walking northbound on Amsterdam Ave. when a 34-year-old male stranger came from behind outside 890 Amsterdam at W. 103rd St. and hit him with a closed fist to the left side of his face, causing redness, minor swelling, pain and dizziness. The victim reported that the suspect had said nothing before or after the attack, nor did he take anything from him before fleeing in an unknown direction. The victim was taken to Mount Sinai Morningside for further evaluation, and Kigor Hardeman was arrested on Jan. 12 and charged with assault.

Police Seek Woman’s Friend in New Year’s Theft

A 63-year-old woman stated that at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 31, she had a friend staying over in her apartment at 160 W. 95th St. near Amsterdam Ave. Later she awoke around 3 a.m. only to witness her friend taking items of her property without permission. The items stolen included a Chanel wallet, jewelry, a credit card and a driver’s license, totaling $11,500. In addition, unauthorized charges later appeared on the victim’s credit card in Bellmore, NY and Wantagh, NY. Police are seeking the victim’s friend for questioning.