QUEENS — A spate of bicycle thefts occurred recently in Forest Hills and Rego Park, prompting local police officials to urge residents to better protect their property.
At least eight bicycles have been stolen in the 112th Precinct, which covers both neighborhoods, in the past four weeks, according to Deputy Inspector Robert Ramos, the precinct's commanding officer.
Bikes were taken mostly in the afternoon, from various areas around the precinct, including Austin Street, 62nd and 64th drives, as well as 66th and 71st avenues, among other locations, police officials said.
Speaking at a Community Board 6 meeting earlier this week Ramos encouraged locals to register their bikes with the precinct, which would make it easier to find and identify them if they end up stolen.
“We can register your bike and put a serial number on it,” he said, adding a 7-digit number placed on a bike includes the precinct where the registration takes place.
A growing number of neighborhood residents have in recent years started using bikes as part of their daily commute to work, with many leaving them near the 71st/Continental Avenue station and other subway stops, before hopping onto the train to Manhattan.
