Quantcast

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

Thieves Targeting Hybrid Car Batteries in Queens

By Jeanmarie Evelly | February 6, 2015 6:54pm | Updated on February 9, 2015 9:04am
 There have been nine reports of stolen hybrid car batteries in the 108th Precinct in about the last six weeks.
There have been nine reports of stolen hybrid car batteries in the 108th Precinct in about the last six weeks.
View Full Caption
Shutterstock

SUNNYSIDE — These thieves are going green.

The 108th Precinct has seen an uptick in hybrid car battery thefts in recent weeks, an official said Thursday, with nine incidents reported in about the last six weeks at locations across the precinct, which includes Long Island City, Woodside and Sunnyside.

"There's become a demand on these batteries," Capt. John Travaglia, commanding officer of the 108th Precinct, said at Community Board 2's monthly meeting Thursday night.

"It's a pattern that we've seen developing here, and also I know they're starting to see it other places in the city," he said.

He said the seven of the nine incidents involved hybrid cabs, often Toyotas. Removing the batteries can be dangerous if done improperly, Travaglia said, but thieves who know what they're doing can do it quickly.

"Most of the time the point of entry is somebody breaking the window of the car," he said. "They reach in, open the hood, the hood goes up, they have the battery out of the car in less than two to three minutes."

He asked residents to report any suspicious behavior to police.

"If you see anybody lurking around a car or things of that nature, you know, call us," he said.