You are reading

Crime drops for most of January, reports 114th precinct

Deputy Inspector Kevin Maloney

Feb. 8, 2015 By Michael Florio

Despite a number of high profile incidents this year, the crime rate fell for most of January, according to the 114 precinct.

The number of violent crimes dropped for the year through Jan. 25, according to the precinct, compared to the same period in 2014.

The precinct reported a decline in the number of rapes, robberies, and felony assaults.

There had been no rapes for the year through Jan. 25 (the latest figures), compared to two for the same period in 2014, according to NYPD statistics.

Meanwhile, there were 15 robberies, compared to 23 for the first 25 days of 2014. Felony assaults were also down, with 16 reported incidents, compared to 22 for the first 25 days a year ago.

“I applaud the 114th Police Precinct,” said Councilman Costa Constantinides on the declining crime rates, adding that they have “been doing a commendable job ensuring that our neighborhood continues to be safer for residents.”

However, there was one murder for the year through January 25, compared to zero for the first 25 days last year. That incident occurred on Jan. 12, when Quentin Capobianco, 18, beat his roommate, Jesse Smith, 29, to death by striking him multiple times in the head with a hammer.

Additionally, on Jan. 31 (outside the period reported) there was a fatal shooting at Astoria Park, where Alexander Bonich—an Astoria resident– killed his friend after a business disagreement.

Burglary, which plagued the precinct in 2014, dropped at the beginning of this year. There were 22 reported incidents for the first 25 days of the year, compared to 28 in 2014. Grand Larceny Autos has also been on the decline, with there being only three incidents this year, compared to nine in 2014.

However, Grand Larceny has been on the rise. There have been 44 reported incidents, compared to just 33 in 2014.