Three Charged in Attempted Burglary Suspected in 14 Other Chelsea Thefts
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The arrests of three men charged with attempting to burglarize a commercial building in Chelsea have police hopeful that a neighborhood burglary pattern will come to an end.
On Saturday, police apprehended Diego Reyes, 19; Manny Martinez, 20, and Alejandro Gil, 20, for allegedly trying to break into a store at 47 W. 29th St. Police said they saw the suspects climb onto the roof of the building via a fire escape. They were arrested on the adjacent roof.
One of the suspects was carrying a bag containing a hacksaw, a gravity knife, a set of pliers, four screwdrivers, two flashlights, two pair of gloves – latex and cotton – a hammer, and 29 bags, according to the Manhattan district attorney’s office. The men allegedly admitted they were trying to gain access to the building in order to steal counterfeit merchandise. The district attorney’s office charged the suspects with attempted burglary and possession of burglar’s tools. Their next court date is Thursday.
The men are considered suspects in a series of 14 other burglaries in Chelsea spanning less than two months, police officials said.
In the burglary pattern, the same method of entry was used – a rear window fire escape, authorities said. The targets included businesses, an office, and two residences, and the property that was taken included laptops, computer equipment, cameras, jewelry, cosmetics, NFL tickets, and stamps, authorities said. In two cases, nothing was stolen.
The first of the 14 burglaries occurred September 6 at a business at 27 W. 20th St., police officials said. A digital camera was stolen. The latest was on October 27 at 12 W. 27th St. A laptop was stolen. While six crimes occurred on separate days, eight of the burglaries were committed within four days.