Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Two Teens Caught Burglarizing Home in Forest Hills, Cops Say

By Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska | September 10, 2013 12:05pm
 Two teens broke into a house on Selfridge Street, cops say.
Two teens broke into a house on Selfridge Street, cops say.
View Full Caption
Flickr/Nick.Allen

QUEENS — Two teens were caught red-handed breaking into a Forest Hills house — one of two burgalries on the block in recent days, cops said.

The teens — Justin Santos, 17, from Middle Village, and a 15-year old whose name was not released — allegedly broke into a home on Selfridge Street last Thursday.

Another house located directly behind the one on Selfridge Street was also burglarized, sources said, but it was not clear who was responsible.

Earlier this year, there was a rash of 14 burglaries in the area, in which jewelry, cash and other items were taken.

Cops said they do not believe that the burglary that the teens were charged with was related to the earlier spree, but break-ins were up 31 percent in the 112th Precinct as of Sept. 1.

Cops nabbed an ex-con who is being eyed in the spree, although he has only been charged with one.

According to the criminal complaint, a local resident noticed the two boys earlier that evening as they tried to open the door of a 2007 black Nissan. The resident told the cops later that the interior light in the car went on.

When the teens noticed the resident watching them, they ran away, according to the complaint. The resident then called 911.

Plainclothes officers searched the area and about 11:25 p.m. they saw Santos pacing back and forth in front of a house on Selfridge Street, near Olcott Street, according to the complaint.

Sometime later they saw the 15-year old leaving the house through a side door leading to the basement, the complaint said. The teens then left quickly, but were arrested soon after.

When the owner of the house checked the basement later, the drawers and cabinets were opened and had appeared to have been searched, cops said. It was unclear whether anything was missing.

Santos was charged with burglary and attempted unauthorized use of a vehicle, according to the Queens DA’s office.