QUEENS — A fire escape-scaling burglar has broken into 30 apartments since December to steal about $38,000 worth of belongings — including cash, perfume, jewelry, vintage Russian medals and personal documents, police said.
The victims included a 66-year-old woman, two tenants who were away on vacation, and a 23-year-old woman who was asleep in bed when he walked in and shined a flashlight on her, NYPD officials said.
The suspect, who can be seen in footage released by police Wednesday night, began his burglary spree on Dec. 30, when he used a fire escape to climb into an apartment near Grove Street and Fairview Avenue to steal $5,000 in cash and $10,000 in jewelry, police said.
He similarly broke into 29 more homes, the most recent occurring on Monday near Himrod Street and Cypress Avenue, to steal $300 in jewelry, police said.
In one instance, on March 3 about 6:30 p.m., he tried to force open the window of a room with an 8-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy inside near Onderdonk and 69th avenues, police said.
The kids ran from the apartment and the suspect fled without making it inside, police said.
Many of the pieces he stole were distinct, like a gold necklace that reads "AMOR," a bracelet engraved with the name "Maryelle Clark," vintage Russian medals and a gold ring containing a ruby.
The police footage was recorded during his most recent burglary, they said.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).
