YORKVILLE — A homeless man was arrested after a resident of an East 91st Street apartment caught him trying to steal a package from a vestibule in the building, according to the NYPD.
Damien Mitchell, 40, who had been wanted for skipping parole on drug-related charges was spotted by a neighbor in the building rummaging through the mail and removing items from a package containing laundry detergent and filters, authorities said.
The neighbor reported the theft to police at about 6 p.m. on Nov. 26, police said. Officers arrived shortly after and arrested him.
After a search, police found a pipe and crack cocaine in Mitchell's right sock, according to a criminal complaint from the Manhattan District Attorney's office.
Mitchell was arrested about half an hour later inside the vestibule of the apartment building, police said.
Prosecutors charged him with petit larceny, possession of stolen property and a controlled substance, according to the complaint.
The judge set his bail at $100 cash or $200 bond, and he's currently being held at Rikers Island, pending his next court date on Dec. 2, records show.
Mitchell was wanted for not checking in with his parole officer after being released from state prison on Dec. 22 of last year. He was convicted for selling drugs, according to records.
His attorney did not immediately return a call for comment.
The 19th Precinct congratulated the officers who made the arrest on Twitter this week:
Package thief arrested! 📦
— NYPD 19th Precinct (@NYPD19Pct) November 27, 2016
Great work by Officers Conley, Alvarez, Bott & Gonzalez ending this crooks shopping spree on E 91 St. #UES #NYC pic.twitter.com/F570EsOKCZ
