Crime Watch

BY JERRY DANZIG

Man assaulted on West 88thA 58-year-old man was knocked to ground and robbed late on Friday, October 6, as he walked on West 88th Street bewtween Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues, police said. The man was approached by four men, one of whom punched and kicked him, knocking him to the ground. The others then went through the man’s pants pockets and took the man’s wallet, cash, an ID and an insurance card. The victim said his face hurt but refused medical attention at the scene. Police searched the area but couldn’t locate any of the four.

Shots fired on West 104thA man on a black-and-blue motorcycle fired shots from a handgun at people as they entered 64 West 104 Street at about 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, police said. No one was hit, and the bullets penetrated the door frame, shattering a glass door. The attacker fled on his motorcycle eastbound on West 104th Street and then southbound on Manhattan Avenue. Police said there were no injuries.

Cellphone theft, arrestAt 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, a 30-year-old man was at the home of a 26-year-old Amsterdam Avenue woman living when he forcefully snatched her cellphone from her hand. She tried to retrieve the device, and the man scratched her arm, cutting her, before he ran out of the residence. The police were called to the scene, and the phone was recovered from the man. A resident of the 43rd precinct, Matthew McCorkle was arrested and charged with robbery, assault, harassment and other charges.

Berry Bad BehaviorA local store had their “Han’s full” with a shoplifter recently. At 11:20 p.m. on Friday, October 6, a perpetrator took a number of fruits from the Han’s Family Market food stand at 2501 Broadway. He grabbed one of the employees’ arms, causing redness, before saying, “I’ll come back.” The man then took off with Beach Farm Strawberries, Driscoll raspberries and blackberries worth a total of $23.04.

Needle ThreatAnother week, another drugstore robbery. At 11:50 p.m. on Friday, October 6, a perpetrator took items off the shelf inside the CVS store at 743 Amsterdam Avenue and attempted to leave without paying. When an employee confronted the shoplifter, the latter became irate, took out a hypodermic needle and tried to stab the employee. The shoplifter then dropped the needle and ran out of the store toward Broadway and West 96 Street. The items stolen included lotion and toothpaste the store valued at $88.