TRIBECA — Police are hunting a burglar who has broken into at least a dozen SoHo homes through unlocked doors and windows over the last two months, making off with electronics, high-end jewelry and cash worth tens of thousands of dollars.
The suspect has hit homes on Thompson, Prince and Spring streets and neighboring blocks, said Deputy Inspector Edward Winski, the commanding officer of the First Precinct.
"[The suspect] is not forcing his way in," Winski said. "He's probably going up the fire escapes."
A woman who lives on Prince Street, near Greene Street, reported $24,000 in jewelry stolen, including a $9,000 string of gold beads, according to an incident report. She had just returned home on Jan. 23 after being out of town for three days.
The perpetrator did not force entry to the apartment and may have entered using an elevator that opens directly into the apartment, the police report said.
Two blocks west, a resident of Thompson Street reported her $1,300 Apple MacBook computer missing from her home. While the victim was on vacation, the burglar entered through a window between Dec. 23 and Dec. 29, leaving no signs of a forced entry, the incident report said.
And on Spring Street between Sullivan and Thompson streets, a woman went home Dec. 28 and found that $3,500 worth of electronics and jewelry had gone missing. Among the stolen items were a $1,700 HP laptop and a $500 antique cameo necklace, according to the report.
Near a fire escape in the apartment were three rear windows that could not be locked. The thief left no signs of forced entry, the report said.
The reported thefts are under investigation and images of the suspect will be released shortly, Community Affairs Officer Tom Moran said Friday morning.
Winski advised locals at a meeting Thursday to protect themselves by locking all doors and windows, particularly those near fire escapes.
"It's inviting a thief if you leave your windows and doors open," he said.
Julie Shapiro contributed reporting
