Two weeks ago, we reported on the windows of NYPD’s Midtown South Precinct being smashed by rocks thrown by a vandal. They described it at the time as “criminal mischief”.
As a small newsroom with limited resources, we end up being selective in our crime reporting. We console ourselves that we don’t want to be like the NY Post and local TV, with a constant stream of crime incidents to get clicks and eyeballs.
However, our informal “police blotter” has been filling up in recent times — and we’d like your help in getting the tone and density of our coverage right. Share your views in our reader survey.
This week started with a break-in at Cubby’s, a knife attack at a local deli, a cash robbery from a Subway sandwich shop on 9th Avenue, a knife fight in broad daylight on W39th Street & 8th Avenue and up the river, tables and chairs being thrown into the Hudson at the Pier i Cafe. If you take a glance at the Citizen app — you will find many more unconfirmed reports.
As we move into a time when NYPD’s radio communications become encrypted, it will be harder to understand what is going on in Hell’s Kitchen (even as journalists).
Yesterday afternoon, we asked DCPI (The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information) for an update on what we’ve seen/heard — and collated what information we could from other sources.
Broken Window at Cheeseboat restaurant, 747 9th Avenue — March 31 – April 1
Police say there is a report on file for criminal mischief at Cheeseboat. An employee reported that between approximately 11pm on March 31, 2024 and Monday April 1, 2024 at 9am, an unknown individual used an unknown object to shatter the front door of a commercial establishment located at 747 9th Avenue. There are no arrests and no injuries were reported as a result of this incident. W42ST photographed NYPD attending the scene with the front door glass shattered.
Midtown South Precinct Doors Smashed, 357 W35th Street — April 4, 5:19pm
We reported earlier in the month how a vandal had stood in the middle of W35th Street and thrown rocks at the precinct, shattering their doors.
Police said that Nickoy Watson, 26, an undomiciled male was arrested and charged on Saturday, April 6, 2024 with criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.
Stabbing at the Watson Hotel, 440 W57th Street — April 6, around 6pm
Police say the victim was a 35-year-old male who was involved in a dispute with another man in front of the Watson Hotel on W57th Street. The victim was stabbed in the chest and left forearm and removed by private means to Mount Sinai West Hospital where he was listed in stable condition.
Cristhian Jose Ramirez Vargas, 24, who gave his address as the Watson Hotel, was arrested and charged with assault on April 8, 2024
Break in at Cubby’s, 630 10th Avenue — April 14, 2:30am
Police say there is a report on file for petit larceny. A 32-year-old male reported to police that on Sunday, April 14, 2024, an unknown individual removed a tablet, a cell phone and approximately $325 from a commercial establishment located at 630 10th Avenue. There are no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing.
The owner, Charles Guenancia, confirmed that money was stolen from the register overnight along with electronics. Charles told us:
We locked up and performed our normal closing procedures on Saturday the 13th. When my cook arrived Sunday morning the door was locked and the lockbox was in place and untampered with. Upon entering he noticed some pillows in the bathroom as well as some bags thrown on the floor. When I arrived he showed me the evidence and when I got to the register I noticed a transaction ticket for a few hundred dollars.
The transaction was done at 2:56am, long after we closed. When I opened the register I noticed that the cash was missing and quickly called the police to file a report. Unfortunately, we also had a tablet and an old iPhone stolen that we used to play music in the space.
When I tried to look at our camera footage, it hadn’t recorded anything from the night. When I called the company to see if they [had] picked up anyone entering the restaurant, they assured me that no motion had been detected on the cameras, even though there were clear indicators that someone was able to enter and rob our store. I also reached out to the delivery company that supplied us with the tablet for online orders but they are unable to track the device. Long story short, the security measures I had put in place to avoid robberies failed miserably and I am still trying to obtain footage from that night.
I also reached out to our bread company as they often deliver bread in the early hours of the morning. I believe what happened is that their delivery driver did not properly lock the lockbox, which allowed the culprit to open the store without damaging anything.
Overall, I am very grateful that no one was hurt and no property was damaged. Still, the whole predicament has left me and the team feeling a little violated and I am going to be taking extra measures to improve security for the sake of our store and staff.
Double slashing at Plaza Gourmet Deli, 607 9th Avenue — April 15, 4:43am
PIX11 reported that two men were slashed after a fight broke out in Hell’s Kitchen early Monday morning, according to the NYPD. The incident happened at 4:40am near the intersection of 9th Avenue and W43rd Street, police said. The two victims were involved in a physical altercation with the suspect when he slashed them, according to authorities.
Police say that a 30-year-old male reported to police that on Monday, April 15, 2024, at approximately 4:40am, he was helping a female charge her phone near W43rd Street and 9th Avenue when an individual began to yell at him and his 39-year-old male co-worker to get away from the female. A verbal dispute escalated into a physical altercation where the individual stabbed the 30-year-old male in his left arm and the 39-year-old male in the neck. The victims went to NYC Health and Hospitals/Bellevue for treatment and are in stable condition.
Shane Jorge, a 30 year old man from the Bronx was arrested and charged with assault and Kaila Boncy, a 28 year old woman from Inwood was charged with resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration.
Street Fight with Knives at W39th Street/8th Avenue, near 603 8th Ave — April 16, 2:33pm
Police confirmed that Raymond Ball, 58, from Queens was arrested and charged with attempted murder, robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. The victim was transported to hospital from the scene, as can be seen on a video shot by a Citizen app user.
Tables Knocked Over and Chairs Thrown in River at Pier i Cafe, Riverside Park — April 16, overnight
Sometime overnight on Tuesday, a person or group threw more than 30 chairs from the Pier i Cafe into the Hudson River, along with at least one table and umbrella, while other furniture was knocked over on the cafe’s patio. First reported by West Side Rag, workers were able to retrieve some of the chairs later in the morning as the tide ebbed. When contacted for details, DCPI could not find any record of the incident.
$150 Robbery with Simulated Firearm at Subway Sandwich Shop, 520 9th Avenue — April 17, 10:21am
Police confirmed that an unknown man entered the location and showed what appeared to be a fake firearm. He left with approximately $150 in cash. There were no injuries and the investigation is ongoing.
What are your thoughts on crime in the neighborhood — and how should we cover it? Click here to take part in our reader survey and give us your views.
I’m not a babe in the wood: I know that crime happens everywhere. But some of these crimes are just pure mischief. And many of the others are most likely caused by repeat offenders who should be locked up on their first offense. Yeah, that’s right, their first offense. This is such a great neighborhood; I first worked and then lived in HK for more than 30 years and I’ve seen it rise up from the depths of misery (the 70’-80’s) to a beautiful and vibrant place to live.
Now the present crime situation. I shudder to think what will happen if things don’t change. Quickly.
I’m curious what a random list of crimes adds to the breadth of W42ST media? I think of this outlet as a celebration of Hell’s Kitchen with fun information about new businesses and happenings in the area, local color, and helpful information.
I can’t see how a running list of random crimes helps businesses grow, tourism increase, or neighbors enjoy the neighborhood. It helps perpetuate fear and reinforce the incorrect perception that crime is on the rise – especially because there is no context of crime statistics for this list.
This just seems like a strange focus for this publication. I participated in today’s survey and I hope it helps.
I was on Grand Jury last year.
While I don’t consider Manhattan to be “unsafe” I don’t think I’d call it “safe”.
Will just say the number and extent of crimes and the malevolence of perpetrators was shocking and depressing. (It was not desperate parents shoplifting baby formula.)
Non of these are done by the local HK residents. Yet HK attracts so many low lives.