Crime watch

Pay Stub DisputeA man probably regrets allowing an acquaintance into his apartment. At 5 p.m. on Monday, September 18, a 25-year-old man entered the apartment of a 54-year-old man living at 135 West 106th Street and asked the latter where his pay stubs were. The older man went to call for help while the younger man entered the bedroom and started looking around. The older man then entered the bedroom to confront his visitor when the latter pushed the older man out of his wheelchair, grabbed a black knife from the kitchen, and held the knife on him, asking “Where is it?” The older man suffered a laceration to his hand as he attempted to grab the knife from the visitor. While the older man was on the floor, the assailant removed the victim’s watch from his wrist. The attacker then attempted to tie up the older man with tape before he fled on foot. The victim was treated by EMS services and taken to a hospital. Benjamin Soto-Fleming was arrested on Tuesday, September 19, and charged with criminal trespass, dangerous drugs, and other offenses. The item stolen was a Timex watch valued at $25, and the knife used in the attack was recovered at the scene.

Full-Court PressApparently, a basketball player didn’t take kindly to rugby players taking over his court. At 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20, a 20-year-old man was practicing rugby with some friends on the basketball court at 830 Columbus Avenue when he was confronted by an unknown man who demanded that the rugby players leave the court. The new arrival then took his belt off and swung it at the young rugby player, striking him in the face, police said. The assailant finally fled in an unknown direction, and the victim was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment.

Abusive Boyfriend ArrestedAt 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, a 17-year-old woman living at 980 Columbus Avenue had a verbal dispute with her 17-year-old boyfriend. During the argument, her boyfriend pulled out a gun and hit her on her right hand. She hit him back, and then the boyfriend fired a shot above her head, police said. She left the apartment, fearing for her safety.

Two months later, at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, the couple was again having a verbal dispute when the boyfriend picked up a broomstick and started to strike his girlfriend repeatedly. She asked him to stop, but he kept hitting her until the broom broke. Concerned for her safety she again left the apartment. She reported the incident to police on Friday, September 22, and Enrique S. Concepcion was arrested the following day and charged with robbery, felony assault, dangerous drugs and weapons, and other charges, police said. At the time of his arrest he was found to be in possession of seven small plastic bags containing marijuana.

Movados RemovedA man throwing a party wound up having a bit less to celebrate. At 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 17, a 57-year-old man had a party at his home at 175 Riverside Drive. Some 80 people attended the festivities, during which someone went into his bedroom and removed two expensive watches from a drawer. The victim told police he had not seen who took his property. The stolen watches were a Movado Circle and a Movado Ermeto gold watch, with a total value of $5,700.