Burglary bust earns four
Flushing offi cers awards
(From l. to r.) 109th Precinct police officers Matthew Magenheim, Renzo Betancur
and Kyle Roach, receive the Cop of the Month Award by Deputy Inspector Keith
Shine. Also part of the presentation was Flushing City Councilman Peter Koo.
Photo by Carlotta Mohamed/QNS
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
Four officers were honored as
Cops of the Month at the 109th
Precinct Community Council’s
May meeting for their incredible
work apprehending two dangerous
burglars in a Flushing neighborhood
last month.
Police officers Renzo Betancur,
Anthony Spinella, Kyle Roach and
Matthew Magenheim received
awards on May 8 from the 109th
Precinct commanding officer,
Deputy Inspector Keith P. Shine,
and community members during
the meeting held at 37-05 Union St.
in Flushing.
The Greater Whitestone Civic and
Taxpayer’s Association sponsored
the four Cop of the Month Awards.
According to Shine, on April 16
at approximately 9:40 p.m. on 59th
Avenue, two homeowners were
watching TV with their lights off
when they heard noise and realized
someone was trying to break into
their home.
“They immediately called 911
and the officers standing behind
me quickly responded,” said Shine.
“Just from a police perspective, a
burglary in progress job is one of the
most serious jobs to respond too, and
you certainly recognize the dangers
that if we don’t get there in a timely
manner what could’ve possibly
happened with the homeowners
and these people breaking into
the house.”
According to Shine, upon arrival
at the scene, the police officers
encountered two men — one in the
backyard and another seen jumping
down from a garage roof.
“They began to run from the
officers, but these are young fit
guys who were able to catch up
with them,” said Shine. “Both of
the individuals were apprehended,
but one of the officers got seriously
injured in the incident.”
Spinella, whose award
was received on behalf of his
colleague, was hit in the eye with a
crowbar from one of the suspects,
said Shine.
“As they caught up with them a
struggle ensued and Spinella was
seriously injured, but we’re happy
to say that he’s doing better and is at
home recovering,” said Shine. “That
night was definitely concerning and
hopefully he’ll be rejoining us.”
According to Shine, the two
perpetrators had a prior criminal
history. One of the individuals is
a known burglar who was out on
parole and that was the perpetrator
that struck the officer.
“One of the individuals is a
known burglar who was out on
parole and that was the perpetrator
that struck the officer. They’re
incarcerated and hopefully that’s
where they’ll stay,” said Shine.
“Our detective squad was able to
follow up and they linked them to
another burglary in the area. We
know them to be responsible for two
… I’m pretty sure even a few more.
These officers did great work with
their quick response getting two
extremely dangerous people off
the street.”
Reach reporter Carlotta
Mohamed by email at cmohamed@
schnepsmedia.com or by phone at
(718) 260–4526.
MAY
SPECIAL
2 WEEKS
FREE!
TIMESLEDGER,QNS.COM MAY 17-23, 2019 9
/schnepsmedia.com
/TIMESLEDGER,QNS.COM
