12 The QUEE NS Courier • APRIL 9, 2015 FOR Breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com police beat Compiled by Cristabelle Tumola and Anthony Giudice 108th Precinct Long Island City, Sunnyside and Woodside Detectives talk woman out of jumping off Kosciuszko Bridge A pair of NYPD detectives spent around two hours talking a suicidal woman off the edge of the Kosciuszko Bridge, according to police. After receiving a call from Queens, police arrived about 11:30 a.m. on April 6 to find the woman on top of a pipe on the outside of the Brooklyn side of the bridge, which connects Greenpoint to Queens. Two detectives—Meghan Kinsella, a 14-year veteran who works as a domestic violence officer, and Steven Stefanakos, a 24-year veteran who has spent 20 of those years with the Emergency Service Unit—moved into action to try to talk the woman, a 45-year-old Brooklyn mother of one, out of taking her life. At first, according to police, the woman wasn’t responsive to either of the detectives as they took turns engaging her in conversation. “I tried to convince her that no matter what, we would be with her every step of the way,” Kinsella said. “He would talk and I would talk. I didn’t even realize I was there for two hours. I was completely focused on her.” When Stefanakos, who is an instructor with the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit and teaches officers how to interact with emotionally disturbed people in crisis, mentioned the possibility of the woman having a family or children, she grabbed back onto the wire, authorities said. “I told her, ‘I don’t know what is going on and what is happening with you, but give us a chance to talk to you,’” he said. Kinsella also told the woman that she was strong enough to get through the situation, and the detectives were finally able to convince her to come off the edge of the bridge. As video footage of the rescue released by police shows, officers were able to pull the woman to safety, and EMS took her to Elmhurst Hospital for treatment. 109th Precinct Flushing, Queensboro Hill, College Point, Malba, Whitestone, Beechhurst and Bay Terrace Cops release sketch of Flushing groping suspect Police have released a sketch of the man who allegedly groped teenage girls in three separate incidents in Flushing since November. During all of the incidents, which took place within a five-block radius, the suspect grabs the buttocks or crotch area of the young women over their clothing before fleeing on foot, authorities said. The suspect first targeted a 15-year-old girl at the corner of 136th Street and 60th Avenue in Flushing at about 7 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2014, according to police. He then allegedly groped a 13-year-old girl on March 11 of this year at about 7:50 a.m. outside of 132-34 58th Ave., near 134th Street. The suspect is also accused of attacking a 19-year-old woman at the corner of 136th Street and 59th Avenue at about 7:30 a.m. on March 23. Police additionally released video footage of the suspect on March 30 and describe the man as white, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, 30 to 40 years old and 170 pounds with a slim build. He was last seen wearing a dark green jacket, grey hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. To see the video footage, visit www.queenscourier.com. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (8477). 61-year-old man fatally struck in Flushing hit-and-run A 61-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run as he was crossing the street in Flushing, police said. The victim was walking across 46th Avenue near Utopia Parkway at about 11:40 p.m. on April 1 when the driver struck the man and then fled, authorities said. The pedestrian was taken to Flushing Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Police currently do not have a vehicle description. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (8477). 114th Precinct Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside and Jackson Heights Man killed in Astoria shooting Police are investigating a deadly shooting in Astoria. Sean Overton, 42, was gunned down just after 5 p.m. on April 5 outside the Astoria Houses at 2-10 Astoria Blvd., authorities said. Officers found Overton, who lived at the NYCHA complex, lying on his back with one gunshot wound to his neck and another to his torso, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Queens, where he was pronounced dead. As of press time, there had been no arrests. Pair sought in Queens police impersonation robberies A phony cop is stopping people on the streets of Queens before robbing them and jumping into a getaway car, authorities said. Police have released video footage of the fake officer in the act and say he has robbed six separate victims between October and March in Middle Village, Woodside, Elmhurst and Corona. All of the victims were traveling on foot when they were stopped by the suspect described as Hispanic or white, about 30 to 40 years old and with a heavy build, authorities said. He then searched the victim and removed property from them before fleeing with a second suspect who was waiting in a black Lincoln Town Car or dark van, police said. The two suspects are wanted in the following incidents: On Oct. 29, at about 1:30 a.m., at the corner of 82nd Street and Furmanville Avenue, $80 was taken from a Wet Basement? Call artie Basement Water Proofing Specialist Serving Queens for 35 Years For more information contact Artie DiBiase Mason Contractor 718.767.0072 Licensed #08097 and Insured Screenshot via NYPD NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE AMERICA ADOPT A PET AnimalLeague.org • 516.883.7575 • Port Washington, NY Photo by Ellen Dunn North Shore Animal League America Has Over 300 Unique Mixed breed & Purebred, Puppies, Kittens, Dogs and Cats! Open Daily for Adoptions SUN - THURS 10AM - 9PM FRI - SAT 10AM - 10PM FOLLOW US ON 25 Davis Ave Adoptions 21-year-old man. On Nov. 27, at about 1:30 a.m., at the corner of James Avenue and 88th Street, a 40-year-old man’s wallet containing a debit card was taken. On Dec. 11, at about 12:50 a.m. in front of 39-66 65th St., a 39-year-old man’s wallet containing $17 was taken. On Feb. 14, at about 4:45 a.m. in front of 102-26 45th Ave., a 37-year-old man’s wallet containing a debit card and a cellphone were taken. On Feb. 26, at about 12:30 a.m. in front of 49-07 103rd St., a 33-year-old man’s wallet containing $650 and debit and credit cards were taken. On March 15, at about 5:30 a.m. at the corner of 102nd Street and 45th Avenue, a 45-year-old man’s wallet containing $480 was taken. To see the video footage, visit www.queenscourier. com. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (8477). Screenshot via NYPD Sketch courtesy of NYPD
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