BUSHWICK — A 15 percent jump in thefts has hit Bushwick in the past year, according to police statistics.
As of Oct. 16, Bushwick saw 384 grand larcenies, defined as stolen property worth more than $1,000. That's up from 333 last year.
The number of grand larcenies in the neighborhood has continued to creep up steadily since 2000. Between 2001 and 2015, it increased by 52 percent, according to the police figures.
This year's surge is due to a combination of identity theft and people leaving valuables unattended in parked cars or in bars, restaurants and cafes, said Deputy Inspector Maximo Tolentino.
"You have to watch where you put your valuables," he said. "Folks are coming to Bushwick and basically leaving their valuables out."
Despite the increase in grand larcenies, crimes overall were down by 4 percent compared to the same time last year. The decrease is mostly attributed to a 39 percent drop in burglaries this year.
