Burglary Suspect May Be Tied To Other Thefts

By Charles Rogers

Police from the 69th Precinct say they may have caught a young burglary suspect who is responsible for committing a series of burglaries in the local area within recent months.

"At the present time, we are checking to see whether the youth is under 16 years old or not," said Captain Robert Johnsen, commanding officer of the precinct. "He said he is 15, and therefore we are not releasing his name to the public until it is conclusive that he is old enough."

Captain Johnsen said the suspect was picked up on Monda after he was seen exiting a house on East 87 Street near Avenue L at about 10:50 a.m. Police Officer Robert Bello said he saw the suspect running from the house and, along with other officers, chased the youth through backyards and over fences, finally catching up with him at the corner of East 85 Street and Avenue L.

"When we returned to the house," said Bello, "you could see where he apparently entered through a window." Bello was responsible for the arrest and charged the youth with burglary and possession of burglar tools.

In checking the records, it was established that the youth had indeed been arrested "a number of times" previously," Captain Johnsen said. "We feel confident that, with this arrest, a lot of cases have a good chance of being closed."