Crime Watch

BY MARIA ROCHA-BUSCHEL

Man wanted for assault over cigarette saleA 63-year-old resident of the Frederick Flemming House at 443 West 22nd St. was repeatedly punched for not coming up with a $25 debt, police said. The woman said she was assaulted at her apartment Feb. 1 at 11 a.m. by a 58-year-old man, also a building resident, who had come to her door demanding she repay him for cigarettes that he fronted her earlier. She told police that that she told the man she didn’t have any cash and that he then punched her in the face four times. The victim was treated at the Healthplex. A staff member at the residence took photographs of the injuries but no arrests had been made as of Tuesday, police said.

Police looking for balcony trespasserA 70-year-old resident of 250 West 27th St. reported that a man was trespassing in his building Feb. 5 at 3:45 a.m. The resident told police that the man had been asked to leave the building by another resident following a disagreement. Instead of leaving the building, the suspect went onto the roof and started pulling on apartment balcony doors, trying to get into other apartments. Police said there is camera footage of the suspect entering and exiting the balcony area of the roof, but no arrests have been made.

Pair wanted for raid on Duane Reade pharmacyOver-the-counter meds and other products worth $1,415 were taken from the Duane Reade at 131 Eighth Ave. The theft was reported by a store employee, who told officers a man and a women had come to the store Sunday evening and taken nine boxes of Prilosec, 14 boxes of Nexium, eight boxes of Prevacid and nine boxes of Plan-B One Step contraception.

Gym bag stolen by impatient cabbieA 29-year-old man reported that his bag was stolen after he got out of a cab at 655 West 34th St. early Friday. He told police that he left the taxi because he went to use an ATM so he could pay the fare but when he returned, the cab was gone, along with his gym bag in the backseat.

Man arrested for trespassing in West 42nd Street buildingPolice arrested a 41-year-old man on criminal trespass charged inside 650 West 42nd St. Saturday at 4:05 p.m. Police said that the man entered the lobby of the building and began charging his phone. When a front desk staff member asked him to leave, he began to yell and refused, police said. Police said that the man doesn’t live in the building and doesn’t know anyone who does live in the building.

Man harassed after near-accident on 10th Ave.A 28-year-old taxi driver reported that he was punched and harassed along 10th Ave. near 37th Street Saturday at noon. He told police that he was changing lanes to pick up passengers when a commercial van almost collided with his vehicle. Both drivers pulled over and when the suspect approached the victim, he said, “What are you, stupid?” and punched the victim in the face before leaving the scene. No arrests have been made.

Wallet stolen at Chelsea MarketA 31-year-old man told police his wallet was stolen while he was inside Chelsea Market on Saturday afternoon. According to the man, the wallet in his zipped bag as he shopped. He discovered the theft when he went to pay for his goods.