Jane Street Neighbors On Watch for a Thief

Compared with the 1990 murder of an advertising executive by a homeless man who used a pay phone, the latest criminal activity on Jane Street is mere mischief, but some are concerned.

A flier recently affixed to some doorways on the Greenwich Village street carried the message, "Attention Neighbors: There is a Thief/Vandal Targeting Jane Street." The flier alleged four incidents in the past two weeks: two car break-ins, wheels stolen from another, and a front door with cracked glass.

A police department spokesman said that of the four alleged incidents, only the stolen wheels last Thursday in front of 44 Jane St. and a break-in in front of 22 Jane St. last Sunday had been reported.

The police spokesman also said crime is down by 5.7% in the 6th Precinct since last year.

Jancy Ball, who works as an independent film producer, said she was astonished last Thursday to see her black Chevrolet HHR lacking wheels. A blue milk crate lay under the front left side of the car, and two jacks were under the right side.

"I'm kind of speechless and appalled," Ms. Ball, who divides her time between Syracuse and the city, said. She estimates the wheels have a value of about $2,000. The president of the Jane Street Block Association, Paula Feddersen, said hers was a peaceful neighborhood and that this type of theft is a very isolated incident.

The presiding officer of the Greenwich Village Block Associations, Marilyn Dorato, said there was no mention of vandalism at a meeting last Monday of Waverly Bank 11 Neighbors, which represents streets not far from Jane Street.

Ms. Ball said the tow truck driver joked that when the culprits are found, NASCAR should hire them.