SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

Source: Angelo Viscoso

A would-be burglar had to be rescued by police and firefighters and then hospitalized after his failed heist at il Fornetto Restaurant left him trapped in an air duct overnight.

Williams (Source: Angelo Viscoso)

Lorenzo Williams, 30, of Coney Island, was cuffed and packed into an FDNY ambulance after authorities removed him from the air duct, booking him with burglary. Cops were called to the 2902 Emmons Avenue restaurant around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, after workers said they heard cries for help coming from the ceiling.

It began with banging, said owner Angelo Viscoso. The restaurant’s manager sent staffers up to the roof, where they found a large hole cut into the vent, and they at first though a possum had found its way in.

“After a few minutes the banging intensified and they started to hear a faint cry for help. At this point they called 911 immediately. When the police came they verified that someone was stuck in the vent and had to call the fire department to cut open the duct on the roof to extract the man out,” said Viscoso.

Apparently, the perp was stuck overnight. The restaurant’s porter said he had heard faint banging noises the night before but couldn’t pinpoint the source. Damages to the roof are expected to exceed $3,000.

Williams was taken to Lutheran Medical Center for minor injuries.

“There were no visual injuries but I guess he had a head rush being stuck upside down until they got him out,” said Viscoso.

The rescue took about an hour, according to the FDNY.

Il Fornetto was playing host to a bridal shower during the cacophonous rescue operation. Viscoso said the party-goers made the most of it.

“The women from the shower were taking pictures with the firemen and police. I heard they cuffed the bride to be,” he said.

The hole in the air duct Williams used to attempt the break-in. (Source: Angelo Viscoso)

The scene of the fire at 2007 Surf Avenue (Source: Google Maps)

The confession offered by 16-year-old Marcell Dockery was coerced by cops who “broke him the same way prisoners of war are broken,” according to the teen’s lawyer.

Dockery (Source: Facebook)

Dockery is facing several charges including murder, assault and robbery after the April 6 fire in Coney Island left one police officer dead and another in critical condition. Dockery is accused of setting the fire, and hours after his arrest he allegedly confessed in writing and on video that he sparked the blaze because “he was bored.”

But now his lawyer is arguing that the confession should be tossed, and is also requesting that a specialist on coerced confessions be brought in to interview Dockery.

Daily News reports:

Defense lawyer Jesse Young said his client “at the tender age of 16″ was no match for seasoned homicide detectives who grilled him for eight to 10 hours in an interrogation room.

“They broke him the same way prisoners of war are broken,” Young said Thursday in Brooklyn Supreme Court. “It doesn’t take much to break a 16-year-old and they did it.”

Young said the detectives extracted the confession in part by falsely promising Dockery that his mother would not be evicted from her apartment if he owned up to torching the mattress.

During a brief pre-trial hearing, Justice Danny Chun authorized funds for the defense lawyer to hire Richard Ofshe, an expert on the subject of coerced confessions, to interview Dockery and review the evidence.

The article also notes that the New York City Housing Authority has kicked off eviction proceedings against Dockery’s mother.

Commisioner Nigro with NYPD Detective William O’Connor, Jr., the son of one of the fallen firefighters. (Photo by Mike T. Wright)

Friends, family and FDNY colleagues gathered at Saint Brendan’s Church in Midwood on Saturday, marking the 36th anniversary of an historic blaze at the Sheepshead Bay Waldbaum’s that claimed six lives.

The August 2, 1978 fire broke out at Waldbaum’s, then located at Ocean Avenue and Avenue Y (now the site of Staples). As the blaze ripped through the building, area firefighters wrestled to bring it under control. At approximately 9:02 a.m., the roof gave in, plunging at least a dozen of New York’s Bravest into the inferno.

Attendees gather in front of the church after the service. (Photo by Mike T. Wright)

In all, six firefighters died and another 34 were injured in what became the largest loss of firefighters in a single fire in Brooklyn history.

In 1999, the city renamed the corner “Firemen’s Corner.” A street sign and plaque continue to honor the fallen.

FDNY’s Emerald Society Pipes & Drums performed at the service .(Photo by Mike T. Wright)

The heroic firefighters who died in the blaze on August 2, 1978, are FF George Rice, 38, Ladder 153; FF James McManus, 48; Cov. Lt. James Cutillo, 39, 33rd Battalion; FF Harold Hastings, 39, 42nd Battalion; FF Charles Bouton, 38, Ladder 156; and William O’Connor, 29 of Ladder 156.

The service in Midwood this weekend was attended by newly appointed FDNY Comissioner Daniel Nigro, who said that the event spurred additional training regimes to protect future fire-eaters, and that the department will continue to come together every August 2 to recognize the victims of the Waldbaum’s blaze.

FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro. (Photo by Mike T. Wright)

For the 2010 anniversary, John Dwyer of JGDwyerPhotography put together the below slideshow. Dwyer has been photographing the FDNY in action since the 1970s.

In the middle of a hot July day, we can understand wanting to do whatever it takes to cool down — just don’t waste water!

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection just launched their 2014 Hydrant Education Action Team (HEAT) program to remind people about the dangers of illegally opening fire hydrants — they release more than 1,000 gallons of water per minute and can reduce water pressure in neighborhoods, making it difficult to fight fires.

So you still want to enjoy a splash through the hydrant’s water? No problem — they can be opened legally if equipped with a city-approved spray cap, which releases only 20 to 25 gallons per minute. That keeps water pressure adequate and won’t knock down any kiddos looking to play.

Spray caps can be obtained by an adult 18 or over with proper identification, free of charge, at local firehouses. Here’s where to go:

Engine 246/Ladder 169: 2732 East 11th Street, between Shore Parkway and Blake Court

Engine 321: 2165 Gerritsen Avenue, near Avenue U

Engine 276/Ladder 156/Battalion 33: 1635 East 14th Street, near Kings Highway

Engine 254/Ladder 153: 901 Avenue U, at East 9th Street

The firefighters will come to the site to install it, and then will return later that evening to remove it. Now have fun out there!

A man was crushed to death by a tow truck this morning outside of the Lyghthouse Inn on Brigham Street.

Emergency responders were called to the scene just after 8:00 a.m. for an unconscious patient. FDNY EMS arrived and declared the man dead-on-arrival.

Early reports indicate the victim was a homeless man, although the FDNY could not confirm that.

Tipsters who were at the scene, including Pavel Itskovskiy who submitted the photo above, said that the man was pinned under the wheel of the truck.

The NYPD’s Highway Collision Investigation Squad is investigating the incident.

Brooklyn: U/D 3206 Emmons Ave. NYPD reports that a homeless male was struck by a tow truck. Emmons Ave is blocked both directions.

— NYPD 911 Dispatch (@NYPD911Dispatch) June 26, 2014

Pedestrian struck by a tow truck driver at Emmons Ave & Brigham St, Brooklyn did not survive. #VisionZero

— Vision Zero for NYC (@VisionZeroNYC) June 26, 2014

UPDATE (4:30 p.m.): We just received the following information from the NYPD:

On Thursday, June 26, 2014 at approximately 0745 hours police responded to a 911 call of a pedestrian struck at Brigham Street and Emmons Avenue in the confines of the 61 Precinct. Upon arrival police discovered an unconscious and unresponsive male with severe trauma to the body. EMS responded to the scene and pronounced the unidentified male DOA. A preliminary investigation determined that a 2002 Flatliner tractor trailer while backing into a parking space did roll over the male with his driver’s side rear wheel. The driver did remain on scene. The New York City Police Department’s Highway Collision Investigation Squad also responded to the location and the investigation is ongoing.

This is a breaking news story and may contain inaccuracies. We will update it as more information becomes available. If anyone has more information or additional photos, please send them to tips (at) sheepsheadbites (dot) com.

2007 Surf Avenue (Source: Google Maps)

Marcell Dockery, charged with setting the Coney Island fire that led to the death of police officer Dennis Guerra and the severe injury of Rosa Rodriguez, pleaded not guilty last week to several charges, including murder.

According to the Daily News, Dockery spent May 1 in court, wearing a brown prison jumpsuit with handcuffs around his wrists to enter a plea of not guilty to charges of second degree murder, assault and robbery.

The defense attorney representing the 16-year old, Jesse Young, told the media that the confession Dockery made to authorities on the day of the incident should be disregarded.

“I was bored,” Dockery supposedly said to police soon after he allegedly lit a mattress in the 2007 Surf Avenue building’s hallway on fire. “I was bored and I felt like doing it, so I lit the mattress.”

But the defense lawyer said  that he “adamantly denies any alleged statements attributed to him in an oral statement, in a written statement, in a videotaped statement made to prosecutors,” adding that “the confession was not voluntary.”

The Daily News reported from the scene of the Brooklyn court:

“Marcell Dockery disregarded the safety of those who lived in that apartment house and of those who would respond to the fire that he set,” said Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association head Patrick Lynch.

“His indifference to the well-being of others makes him a danger to society and he must be … held punished for the irreversible loss to the families of these two police officers.”

Dockery’s rap sheet includes a prior arrest for lighting a fire. He also faces robbery and larceny charges for using a razor in a March 7 mugging of a 60-year-old neighbor.

His next court date is set for May 29.

Officer Rosa Rodriguez, still recovering from injuries sustained during a Coney Island fire that killed her partner, will receive a reduced disability pension under new NYPD rules.

Source: New York Police Department Hispanic Society

DNAinfo broke the story:

A pension change enacted five years ago says police officers and firefighters hired after July 2009 who become disabled in the line of duty are no longer eligible for the traditional tax-free pension calculated at three-quarters of their final year’s salary.

Instead, these newer members of New York’s Finest and Bravest will receive pensions equal to 50 percent of their final year’s salary.

And officials say that pension will be further cut by an amount equivalent to half of any Social Security disability payments they receive.

Officer Rosa Rodriguez, a 36-year-old mother of four, joined the force in July 2010 and is making $53,270 a year.

Had she been hired a year earlier, Rodriguez would have received a combined disability pay of $61,552. But because of the new rule, that will be slashed nearly in half, to $37,400.

The outlet notes that Rodriguez will likely be forced to retire due to her injuries.

Sixteen-year-old Marcell Dockery is accused of starting the April 6 fire in 2007 Surf Avenue’s high-rise building because he was bored, and he has been indicted.

Source: Courtesy of the New York Police Department Hispanic Society

Rosa Rodriguez, one of two police officers who responded to a Coney Island fire on April 6, is showing signs of improvement, according to the New York Police Department Hispanic Society.

The group posted on Facebook that Rodriguez “opened her eyes [Friday] for the first time and saw her children and gave them a thumbs up as they were talking to her.”

Her partner Dennis Guerra fared worse, making citywide headlines when he succumbed to his injuries three days after the fire. Sixteen-year-old Marcell Dockery is accused of starting the fire in 2007 Surf Avenue’s high-rise building because he was bored, and he has been indicted.

According to Brooklyn News 12, Dockery is the sole suspect in the case and faces charges of second-degree murder, assault in the first degree, arson in the fourth degree and reckless endangerment charges. If convicted, Dockery faces a maximum sentence of 25 years-to-life in prison.

Rodriguez is not expected to leave the hospital any time soon since “she continues to fight” her injuries, according to the Hispanic Society.

2007 Surf Avenue (Source: Google Maps)

Marcell Dockery, the 16-year-old who confessed to setting a mattress on fire in the hallway of a Coney Island public housing building last week, has been charged with an additional count of felony murder after one of the two police officers critically injured in the blaze passed away.

If convicted, Dockery faces a maximum sentence of 25 years-to-life in prison.

“The senseless act of setting that fire tragically led to the death of NYPD Officer Dennis Guerra. His partner Officer Rosa Rodriguez suffered critical injuries. Both dedicated and courageous officers did not hesitate to risk their lives to save others. We will bring the Defendant to justice for these terrible and horrific crimes,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson in a statement Friday evening.

Guerra, 38, a married father of four, succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday morning. His partner, Rodriguez, remain in critical condition but has a more optimistic prognosis.

The two were the first emergency responders to respond to the Sunday fire at 2007 Surf Avenue. They rode the elevator to the 13th floor, where the fire was believed to be. As the doors opened, they were engulfed in thick black smoke, and collapsed due to lack of oxygen.

Funeral services were held this morning for Guerra, and a wake was held over the weekend.

His death broke a three-year streak during which no police officer had been killed in the line of duty.

The NYPD is now overhauling its fire response protocol, including basic fire training that could have saved Guerra’s life. Officers are being instructed to take the stairs when possible. If they must use the elevator, they’re being told to check open shafts for smoke and to stop at least two floors below the fire.

An FDNY EMT was arrested at his Brighton Beach apartment yesterday for owning a cache of high-powered weapons including pipe bombs, after police responded to a domestic dispute between him and his wife.

The New York Post reports:

Victor Cadicamo, 29, was arrested when police showed up to his home near Brighton 10th Terrace and Coney Island Avenue at around 9 a.m. Thursday after the FDNY worker’s wife said he threatened her with a gun, cops said.

When cops searched Cadicamo’s home, they found five firearms and a rifle before cuffing him and dragging him down the the 60th precinct. Police said the couple’s 2-year-old child was home at the time.

During interrogation, Cadicamo confessed to also having bombs hidden in the home, which sent the NYPD’s bomb squad back to the location. The bombs were brought to the NYPD’s Bronx firing range for detonation.

The Daily News adds that authorities found two pipe bombs made of PVC, with caps on the ends and a black cord attached.

Cadicamo, 29, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, menacing and harassment. Additionally, his union has kicked off a separate investigation to determine if the six-year EMT will lose his job.

Cops came to Cadicamo’s home after his wife, Christina Liskowitz, also an EMT, called police saying that he had threatened her with a gun.

Yasir Ullah, 34, who lives above the couple’s apartment, said Cadicamo and his wife are constantly fighting.

“We always heard loud voices. In the morning time, they would slam doors,” Ullah said.

He said the couple had what sounded to be a loud argument Wednesday night.