Kingsbridge restaurants, laundromat hit in string of burglaries

Police are looking for two men they say were involved in a series of burglaries in the heart of the Kingsbridge business district last month.

It started in the early morning hours of July 19, according to police, sometime between 12:30 and 5 a.m., when someone broke through a locked rear door of Palmas Restaurant, 240 W. 231st St. There, one of the men took $200 as well as a Samsung tablet computer before running off with the other man.  

A couple of nights later, the two men reportedly returned, this time hitting a commercial laundromat, W230 Laundry Services, at 215 W. 230th St., breaking the glass on the front door to get in. This July 21 burglary resulted in a $1,300 cash hall from the register and tip jar, as well as some cleaning supplies.

One man did the actual burglarizing, according to police, while the other served as a lookout.

Police say the two would hit one more business, this time before sunrise on July 27, targeting Dale Diner at 189 W. 231st St. One of the men used a crowbar to get inside, and then use that crowbar to pry open the register, taking $500 from it.

Police didn't provide descriptions of the two men, but did release a video they say was taken after the laundromat incident. That video can be watched here. 

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call New York Police Department's Crime Stoppers hotline at (800) 577-8477. Tips can also be sent through the Crime Stoppers website at NYPDCrimeStoppers.com, or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

Information also can be texted to 274637, and then entering "TIP577."

All calls, police say, are strictly confidential.