Deputy Inspector Kevin Maloney
April 25, 2014 By Michael Florio
The number of robberies reported in Astoria continues to climb.
This year there have been 76 robberies through April 13, up from 60 for the same period a year ago. And there are few signs that the robbery rate is going to decline any time soon.
Just last week, a 33-year-old man attempted to rob a laundromat at gunpoint before fleeing empty handed. The suspect later was arrested by police after he dumped his get-away car and was caught walking down the street. The police also discovered that he had ditched a handgun in the bushes nearby.
However, despite the number of robberies, the police claim they are getting those who are responsible like in that case.
“The arrest clearance for all robberies in this precinct is one of the highest in the city,” said Deputy Inspector Kevin Maloney, the Commanding officer for the 114th precinct.
“We do our best to prevent robberies, but it’s reassuring to know that when a robbery does take place the person responsible is being held accountable,” he continued.
Maloney said the 114 precinct has been making a concerted effort to keep firearms off the streets. So far in 2014 the precinct has recovered 18 firearms off the street, compared to seven at this time last year.
While burglaries and robberies are up—not all crime is up this year in the 114th precinct. The number of reported rapes has dropped to six incidents so far this year, opposed to 11 in 2013, with stolen vehicles and grand larcenies down too.
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