Police are searching for a man who they say has robbed at least 15 apartments in SoHo over the last five months.
The burglar is believed to be entering the apartments by climbing up the fire escape and sneaking into homes through windows left unlocked. He makes off with jewelry, laptops and other electronics, including iPads, cameras and iPhones, police said.
His first robbery happened on Sept. 28, when he stole jewelry and a laptop from an apartment on Wooster Street. His most recent was on Jan. 17, when he gained entry to an apartment on West Broadway and stole an iPhone and cameras. Later that same day, he broke into a home on Bleeker Street and stole a laptop, police said.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said that crime patterns like these are usually determined by a number of contributing factors.
“It usually depends on time, items that were taken, method of entry. Obviously, we look at the video cameras as well. Sometimes you can tie them into a pattern, sometimes you can’t,” Kelly stated.
Deputy Inspector Edward Winski said the man doesn’t appear to be forcing his way into the apartments and is urging local residents to lock all doors and windows, especially those near fire escapes, according to DNAinfo.com.
One victim’s apartment had three windows located near a fire escape that could not be locked.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic man with light skin; anyone with information is advised to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (8477).
