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Park Slope Police Nab Serial Bike Thief After Surveillance Operation

By Leslie Albrecht | October 23, 2014 9:55am
 Police in Park Slope recently arrested a bike thief who's stolen bikes at least three times since 2011, authorities said.
Police in Park Slope recently arrested a bike thief who's stolen bikes at least three times since 2011, authorities said.
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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

PARK SLOPE — A recent surveillance operation outside the Atlantic Terminal Mall helped police nab a serial bike thief — and netted a "Cop of the Month" award for a local officer, the NYPD said.

Officers arrested Stanley Griffith, 52, after they watched him cut through a bike lock with an angle grinder saw, then walk off with a GT Traffic 2.0 bicycle at 4:45 p.m. on Sept. 19, police said.

Members of the 78th Precinct's anti-crime team chased down and arrested Griffith. He was charged with petit larceny, possession of burglars' tools and criminal possession of stolen property.

Griffith pleaded guilty to petit larceny and was sentenced to 60 days in jail on Oct. 16, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney's office.

Police had set up the stakeout after a spike in bike thefts outside the busy mall on Atlantic and Flatbush avenues. Officer Rui Martins, who made the arrest, was awarded "Cop of the Month" at this week's 78th Precinct Community Council meeting.

Griffith has a history of bike thefts in Park Slope and elsewhere in Brooklyn, according to the District Attorney's office.

On Jan. 14 he was arrested after police saw him using a saw to hack through a bike lock at Sixth Avenue and Carroll Street, authorities said. Officers found a box cutter, screwdrivers and other tools in Griffith's possession. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail.

In October 2012, Griffith was arrested on Clinton Avenue after a police officer spotted him riding a bike on the sidewalk while steering a second bike alongside him, authorities said. Police found a saw, wrench and Allen keys inside Griffith's bag, as well as crack-cocaine residue. He was sentenced to time served.

In 2011, police arrested Griffith after officers saw him using pliers to clip a bike lock at Seventh Avenue and First Street in Park Slope. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail.

“[Griffith] has an extensive history of larceny arrests…With the help of the Brooklyn DA's office, the perpetrator was held...and hopefully will not be on our streets anytime soon,” police from the 78th Precinct said in a written statement accompanying the "Cop of the Month" award.