WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2018 15
104th Precinct busy busting package thieves, carjackers
BY MARK HALLUM
MHALLUM@CNGLOCAL.COM
The 104th Precinct has had
success in stopping numerous
larcenies in December across
Ridgewood, Glendale, Maspeth and
Middle Village, the force’s commander
reported during the 104th Precinct
Community Council meeting on Tuesday
night in Middle Village.
Deputy Inspector John Mastronardi
encouraged residents to be “nosy
neighbors” in order to protect one
another from various forms of theft
and take note of details such as license
plate numbers if they see anything
suspicious.
“Know your neighbors’ routines,
because ’tis the season. ‘Tis the season
for package theft , robberies and
burglaries,” Mastronardi said.
George Abel was arrested and
charged for stealing packages
throughout the Maspeth area. He
was seen on a homeowner’s surveillance
camera making the rounds
down residential streets and the
footage was given over to Councilman
Robert Holden who worked
with the 104th Precinct to see that
Abel was arrested for his alleged
involvement.
A vehicle stolen on 69th Street in
recent weeks was tracked by a license
plate reader to a location in Brooklyn
where the NYPD was able to make
an arrest while the alleged perp was
sitting in the car, according to 104th
Precinct offi cers.
Holden said his offi ce is still working
with the city to get a new facility for
the 104th Precinct, which has been in
the same building in Ridgewood since
1925. The number of staff has grown
exponentially in that amount of time.
Originally meant to hold about 80
offi cers, the building at 64-02 Catalpa
Ave. now sees about 200 offi cers and
vehicles circulating in and out of the
location, Holden said.
The precinct has become increasingly
dilapidated over time, according to
Holden.
“My goal is to get a brand-new, stateof
the-art precinct,” Holden said. “A
lot of the offi cers have desks in the
basement with no windows. I’ve been
told they can’t even stand up because
they hit their head on the ceiling.”
Photo: Mark Hallum/RIDGEWOOD TIMES
Deputy Inspector John Mastronardi addresses residents at the 104th
Precinct Community Council meeting in Middle Village.
Holidays are a perfect time to buy tickets
for the DIME Best of Brooklyn Festival
The third-annual DIME Best of
Brooklyn Festival is a back for a
one-day-only event on Saturday,
Jan. 26, at Industry City.
Foodies and craft beer lovers will be
able to have unlimited tastings from
local craft breweries that include
Sixpoint, Coney Island Brewing, Five
Boroughs Brewing Company, War
Flag Brewing and more. Consumers
who purchase one of the three sessions
off ered will be able to enjoy unlimited
tastings of all the brews available.
You can pair the amazing craft beer
with the many off erings from the festival’s
top chefs selling their delicious
cuisine. Grab a taste from Dinosaur
BBQ Brooklyn, Table 87 Coal Oven
Pizza, Empanada Papa, Les Trois Petits
Cochons – Three Little Pigs, Anthi’s
Greek Specialities and more still to be
announced.
Celebrate the beginning of the new
year with DJ Get Summered spinning
hot tunes and amazing break-dancing
performances. The festival will also
have a few surprises in store for you
that you won’t want to miss!
Tickets to the event are available at
BestofBrooklynFestival.com and start
at $39. Industry City is located at 274
36th St., Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and
is easily accessible from the D and N
trains and M14A and X17 buses. Ample
parking available for drivers. Photos courtesy of DIME Best of Brooklyn Festival
link
