HELL'S KITCHEN — Police are hunting for a burglar who has been pushing in window air conditioners to gain entry into Hell's Kitchen apartments.
Cops from the NYPD's Midtown North Precinct say all the incidents occurred between West 43rd and West 53rd streets and Eighth and 10th avenues. Most have taken place between 6 and 11 p.m., police said.
The crook behind the burglaries gets into apartments by pushing in AC units, and occasionally by simply opening unlocked apartment windows, police said.
Cops suspect residents have at times buzzed the burglar in, giving the thief access to the roof — where its easier to climb down a fire escape and enter through a window.
Police said it's best to remove air conditioner units during the winter, or properly secure them if they can't be taken out of the window. Resident should also lock all other apartment windows, be careful when buzzing people into buildings, and keep doors locked at all times.
Police officials did not provide specific information about how many incidents have occurred, or what types of items have been taken.
Anyone with information on the string of burglaries is asked to call Midtown North's Crime Prevention Officer at 212-767-8445 Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).
