QUEENS — A brazen burglar busted into a Forest Hills home on Sunday as the neighborhood's Memorial Day parade, but a team of cops quickly nabbed him after he was recognized by a witness, sources said.
The break-in was one of two in the neighborhood in recent days and comes on the heels of a lull in burglaries after a massive pattern there earlier this year.
On Sunday, Alan Peck, 51, of Hollis Hills, allegedly broke into a garage of a home on Groton Street about 11:20 a.m. and stole a bike, police said.
Cops responded quickly and arrested him at 12:05 p.m, as parade-goers, including City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, marched along Metropolitan Avenue, just a couple of blocks away, cops said.
Peck, who has been arrested more than a dozen times for various crimes dating back to 1990, was recognized by a witness who saw him breaking into the garage and leaving with the bike, according to NYPD.
He was charged with burglary and criminal possession of stolen property, according to the criminal complaint.
Another house on Manse Street in Forest Hills was burglarized on Friday night, but it was not immediately clear whether there was any connection between the two break-ins.
The two incidents occurred after a month-long burglary free period in the area, which saw 14 burglaries earlier this year.
The break-ins, which started in February, occurred between Metropolitan Avenue and Exeter Street and between 69th and Continental avenues. Jewelry, cash and other items were taken, the police said.
Paul Hisler, 49, the ex-con who lives in the neighborhood and was arrested on May 1, is being eyed in connection with those break-ins.
