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Man Arrested for Stealing $1,800 in Cold Medicine in Gowanus, Police Say

By Leslie Albrecht | November 13, 2013 7:18am
 Police arrested a man who allegedly tried to steal more than $1,800 in cold and allergy medication from a Pathmark in Gowanus.
Police arrested a man who allegedly tried to steal more than $1,800 in cold and allergy medication from a Pathmark in Gowanus.
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PARK SLOPE — This thief had a nose for trouble.

A 46-year-old man was arrested after stuffing dozens of boxes of cold and allergy medicine into a suitcase at the Pathmark on 12th Street and Third Avenue, according to a police report.

An eagle-eyed security guard spotted the accused thief about 1:15 p.m. Thursday. His haul included 18 boxes of Mucinex DM, 10 boxes of Prevacid, 15 boxes of Zantac, 11 boxes of Claritin, nine boxes of Breathe Right strips, 25 boxes of Prilosec, eight boxes of Allegra and six boxes of Crest Whitestrips. The total value of the stolen medications was estimated at $1,851.

James Pettigrew was arrested, police said. He was charged with grand larceny, petty larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. His defense attorney could not be reached immediately for comment Tuesday.

Other notable crimes in this week's blotter at the 78th Precinct include the following, with details from police reports:

• Two men kicked and punched a 27-year-old man and then stole his iPhone at 4:50 a.m. Sunday. The victim was walking home from a bar and texting when two men approached him on St. Marks Avenue. They pushed him to the ground, beat him up and then ran away with the phone.

• A woman who was enjoying a glass of wine at Flatbush Farm had her purse stolen right out from under her. The 45-year-old victim put her bag on the ground in front of her bar stool, and a man swiped it. Video from inside the bar shows the theft, at 5:40 p.m. on Nov. 5, but the crook couldn't be identified because he was wearing a hoodie.

• A DJ had more than $2,300 in gear stolen during a cab ride home from a gig on Nov. 3 about 4:10 a.m. The 39-year-old victim told police she took a cab from a Williamsburg club to her home on Prospect Place and Flatbush Avenue. When the taxi arrived, she asked the driver to pop the trunk so she could get her gear. He replied, "OK" but then sped off, she said. The stolen property included headphones, cables and a Boss vocal performer device.

• A woman had her laptop stolen when she left it in a bag on a bench outside a Union Street bike shop. The 46-year-old victim left her valuables outside while she went into Dixons Bike Shop. When she returned, the bag containing her MacBook Air, text books and winter hat was gone.

Overall in the 78th Precinct, major crimes have dropped 1.78 percent during 2013 thus far, compared with the same period in 2012, according to the latest figures from the NYPD.