Police Beat

Carjackers leave no evidence behind

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No broken glass, no security cameras, and no witnesses.

One car thief certainly knew what he or she was doing June 21 in stealing a 2003 red Dodge Caravan.

The victim, a 35-year-old man, parked his car at 290 W. 234th St. around 1 p.m., according to police. It wasn’t until the next morning at 7 he noticed the truck missing.

The man claims doesn’t owe any parking tickets, so officers ruled out the possibility of the van being towed. The victim also said he’s the only one with a key.

There is currently an alarm out for the vehicle, but the case is closed to patrol units.

A similar incident occurred June 28 when a 23-year-old woman found her car missing.

The owner of the 2011 Mazda claims she parked at the corner of Dickinson and Sedgwick avenues around 2 a.m., only to return a few hours later to an empty spot, police said.

There was also no broken glass or signs of a break-in at the scene. Police valued the vehicle at $10,000.

ATM skimming device breaks the bank

Last month, police in the 50th Precinct shared news that while crime was down overall in the greater Riverdale area, grand larceny is up. Well, add another 22 victims to that list.

That’s how many people police believe were caught by an ATM skimming device at TD Bank, 281 W. 230th St.

Police were called at noon on June 29 about a device on the machine that recorded debit card information while it was swiped.

With those details — along with the PIN — on hand, the perp went on an ATM spree, withdrawing cash from victims’ accounts at various locations. 

Police are unsure of exactly how much money was stolen, but they are still investigating the incident.

You’ve got no mail

A 16-year-old boy went fishing June 29 — only he wasn’t catching sea life.

Instead, police caught the teenager tampering with a U.S. Postal Service mailbox. The boy designed a homemade device, according to officials, that he used to reach into the box and pull mail out through the small front slot.

The incident unfolded just after 2 a.m., on the corner of University Avenue and West Kingsbridge Road. 

The boy was in possession of the contraption when officers arrested him.

TV thief a real showstopper

A 42-year-old woman returned home Friday evening to find her 50-inch Samsung television missing.

The woman told police that she left her apartment at 2907 Kingsbridge Terrance around 11 a.m., on June 23. Before she returned at 8 p.m., someone broke in and stole the television.

The woman added she didn’t give anyone permission to go into her home while she was gone. 

The television, which police valued at just over $1,600, is still missing. 

Detectives, however, are working the case. 

Grand larceny, ATM skimming, U.S. Postal Service, 50th Precinct, crime, Alexandra Hutzler