BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Police are asking residents in Bedford-Stuyvesant to report suspicious activity in the neighborhood following a widespread trend of burglaries at construction sites.
Burglars are stealing large tools and appliances like refrigerators and stoves from buildings under construction, according to Capt. Charles Minch, commanding officer of Brooklyn’s 79th Precinct.
“They’re good at what they do, somehow, some way, they know when the construction is almost over and all the appliances are being delivered,” Minch told locals at a precinct council meeting Wednesday.
“They’re not just walking in stealing microwaves, they’re taking refrigerators, washing machines, dryers.”
The thieves are also hitting the sites before deliveries and taking off with large tools, police said, adding that the suspects use white vans or white box trucks.
“Please, if you see any of these types of vehicles, don’t hesitate to call 911,” Minch added.
Many of the burglaries take place in the middle of the night or on the weekends when construction stops, according to police.
There were 12 burglaries in the 79th Precinct for the week ending Oct. 16, NYPD data shows. The precinct covers Classon Avenue to Marcus Garvey Boulevard and Flushing to Atlantic avenues.
“We have a tremendous construction site burglary problem right now, and it’s not just confined to the 79th Precinct,” Minch said, adding that the trend spreads throughout north Brooklyn.
Earlier this month, police in Bed-Stuy’s 81st Precinct, which covers the eastern section of the neighborhood, said burglaries of empty buildings were driving crime in the area.
Individuals were claiming properties as their own and taking copper pipes from buildings to re-sell, according to Inspector Scott Henderson, prompting the precinct to compile a list of buildings to keep an eye on.
