Arrest In Bogus Bomb Incident

By on April 19, 2013  News
Apr 192013
 

[source: NYPD via Gothamist]

[source: NYPD via Gothamist]

According to the Daily News, a 14-year-old suspect was arrested yesterday in connection with the propane tank that was made to look like a bomb and left on retired firefighter Ed Green’s front porch late Tuesday night.

The alleged culprit was collared within hours of police releasing surveillance footage that captured an image of a white man in his 20s casually walking away from the crime scene in the moments after the fake device was left by Green’s door.

The incident took place in the early minutes of Wednesday morning at approximately 12:30 a.m. on 68th Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue.

Police charged the boy with placing a false bomb or hazardous substance. Authorities shave not released his name because he is a minor.

Local elected officials praised first responders before calling the untimely hoax a “sick joke” and a waste of police resources.

“An arrest has been made in connection to the fake “bomb” left on the doorstep of a retired FDNY 9/11 first-responder on 68th Street,” announced City Councilman Vincent Gentile in a press release yesterday. “I commend the 68 Precinct and their detective squad who worked around the clock and delivered a swift arrest in this case. What may have been a sick joke to this individual was no joking matter at all to law enforcement. I thank everyone that came forward with tips that helped bring this individual to justice.”

“I have just been informed that an arrest has been made of an individual in the Bay Ridge bomb scare that took place Tuesday night on 68th Street,” said State Senator Marty Golden on his senate page. “I commend the 68th Precinct, Commanding Officer Captain DiBlasio, and all the NYPD Detectives assigned to this case, for their work, in making sure that this individual is no longer roaming our streets, causing havoc and wasting police resources.”

[UPDATED] Fake Bomb Brings Police, Bomb Squad To Retired Firefighter’s Home

By on April 17, 2013  News
Apr 172013
 

[source: NYPD via Gothamist]

Click to enlarge [Source: NYPD via Gothamist].

[UPDATE] 4/19/13 A suspect has been arrested. Read More Here.

[UPDATE] 4/18/13 Police have released the above video and accompanying photos of a person wanted for questioning about the fake explosive device. The person of interest, seen fleeing the scene of the incident, is described as an adult white male wearing dark clothing. [Via Gothamist].

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. You can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES), then entering TIP577.

A fake bomb was apparently left in front of a retired firefighter’s home early Wednesday, drawing scores of police – including bomb squad personnel – to 68th Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue.

The Daily News is describing the fake device as an empty propane canister with a garage door opener keypad attached covered in masking tape with wires sticking out.

It was discovered around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday by retired city firefighter Ed Greene just moments after it was left on his front stoop by a prankster who rang the bell before running off.

Greene reportedly called police and then alerted his neighbors.

With NYPD already on high alert after the twin bombings at the Boston Marathon on Monday, police officers and a bomb squad quickly filled the surrounding area.

Families on the block were hurriedly evacuated through their backyards and down the street. After reaching the corner, residents were kept there for two-and-a-half hours until bomb squad officials determined the homemade device was not real.

“Who would do such a stupid thing, if it was a prank?” asked next-door neighbor Barbara Leen, who was among those evacuated. “Why would someone do such a thing? They’re nice, good people.”

The propane tank was the type usually used to sweat pipes, another neighbor told the News.

“It looked like a big can wrapped in masking tape,” said Leen.

In December of 2011, a man was arrested for walking into the 68th precinct stationhouse on 65th Street with a fake explosive device. That device was similarly described by the New York Post as being made out of an empty propane tank.

Dyker Heights Apartment Burglarized As Fire Escape Break-Ins Continue To Plague 6-8

By on March 28, 2013  News
Mar 282013
 
Image source: kthread via Flickr.

Image source: kthread via Flickr.

Jewelry and electronics continue to disappear from area homes, as a series of break-ins plague the 68th Precinct, which covers both Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge.

Please remember folks, if you have a fire escape then you probably want to lock the window(s) closest to it when you go out!

According to Brooklyn Paper’s Will Bredderman, a burglar [or group of burglars] exploited one unlocked fire escape window – taking the opportunity to enter a 14th Avenue apartment on March 19.

The victim claims to have left her flat, which sits between 68th Street and 69th Street, at 8:30 a.m.

When she returned at 2:50 p.m. her door was still locked – but two Nintendo game consoles, a Playstation, an iPad, a MacBook, two gold necklaces, and an engraved silver wedding band were all gone.

CB 10 Offers Alternative To DOT-Planned Bike Lanes

By on September 27, 2012  Traffic & Transit
Sep 272012
 

Image source: courtney_80 via Flickr.

Members of Community Board 10 know that more bike lanes are coming to Bay Ridge. But while they’ve warmed to the notion of a bike-friendly future, they’re still unhappy with the locations the DOT has chosen for the “hundreds of miles” of bike lanes it plans to add to Brooklyn neighborhoods over the next few years. Continue reading »

“Jazz In The Park” Brings Alex Violette Ensemble To Owl’s Head September 8 (UPDATED)

By on September 5, 2012  Events
Sep 052012
 

This story was originally published on August 21.

A musical ensemble led by saxophonist and composer Alex Violette – whom Harlem World Magazine calls a rising star, brings the sweet sounds of jazz to Owl’s Head Park on Saturday, September 8, from 12 noon to 3 p.m.

The event, known as Jazz In The Park, will include free activities for children and is a great way to introduce the whole family to a new aesthetic experience.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets, light snacks, and soft drinks. Grilling and alcoholic beverages are unfortunately a no-no.

In a written statement, Councilman Vincent Gentile said, “Now with newly paved pathways, benches, fencing and landscaping – the Owl’s Head Park Overlook is the destination spot for families to enjoy beautiful weather, scenery and cultural performances sponsored by the Bay Ridge Arts + Culture Alliance… I hope everyone will help me kick-off this season with a little jazz in the park!”

Just another reminder that you can find something for everyone on the Bay Ridge Odyssey Events Calender.

Owl’s Head Park is located at 68th Street and Shore Road.

Tour De Brooklyn To Ride Through Bay Ridge This Sunday

By on June 1, 2012  Events
Jun 012012
 

Last year's Tour De Brooklyn (Source: Wikipedia Commons)

The 8th Annual Tour De Brooklyn, a 21.5 mile bicycle ride through the County of Kings, will be pedaling its way through Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights – with a rest stop at Dyker Beach Park – this Sunday, June 3. Click Here For More, Including A PDF Map Of The Route