SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

Local pols are joining forces to host the “Pre-Labor Day Summer Senior Concert” tomorrow, August 27 at Amersfort Park, located on Avenue I between East 38 Street and East 39 Street. The concert will run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., sponsored by Councilman Jumaane Williams, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, Golden Crust, Chef’s Choice, caribBEING, Millenium Development, Emblem Health, and Sesame Flyers.

Free and open to the public, the concert will feature musical performances by East Flatbush Village Performers, Remsen Zumba Dancers, the IET Band, and the Sesame Flyers Steel Pan Orchestra. Each year, this concert has been a way to thank elders of the 45th District.

“Our elders are the backbone and the brain trust of this community,” Williams stated in a press release. “This concert is but one expression of how much we care and how committed we are to their well-being. It’s even better that we were able to do so with the music of our shared Caribbean heritage, a heritage that fills my Grenadian heart with deep pride.”

For more information about the concert, contact Farah Louis, director of community outreach for Williams at (718) 629-2900.

We apologize for the totally inappropriate video, but we just couldn’t resist.

The city Department of Health will be spraying mosquito-killing pesticides throughout parts of our neighborhood tonight, between 8:15pm and 6am – which was supposed to happen last week but ended up being canceled because of the rain, according to a DOH spokeswoman.

The area to be sprayed is shaded yellow on the map above, although it’s only an approximation.

Here’s a .pdf from the city detailing the spraying, and here’s more information about the West Nile Virus.

And, to prepare yourself for tonight, check out the suggestions we detailed last week about what to do to protect yourself, including staying indoors and closing air conditioner vents.

Source: NYPD

Cops believe the same perp is behind eight burglaries that hit Borough Park and Midwood within a month and a half, in which a combined total of $228,330 in valuables was taken from neighbors’ homes.

Authorities are turning to the public for help identifying their suspect, who was caught on surveillance cameras rummaging through a home during one of the heists. The eight incidents took place between June 23 and August 11, in many cases while the homeowners appear to have been traveling.

The thief entered through a rear window, and limited his haul to silver and jewelry in almost every incident.

According to the NYPD, the following homes were hit (details below the map):

• 1551 East 5th Street, between 8 p.m. on June 23 and 8 p.m. on July 1. Items totaling more than $13,000 were reported missing.
• 1571 40th Street, between noon on June 27 and 8 p.m. on June 29. Items valued at $23,480 were reported missing.
• 1436 50th Street, between noon on July 14 and 4:30 p.m. on August 14. Silver valued at $27,000 was reported missing.
• 1449A 46th Street, between 8 p.m. on July 24 and 5 p.m. on July 29. Silver valued at $7,250 was reported missing.
• 1672 43rd Street, between 11 a.m. on August 7 and 11:30 p.m. on August 18. Jewelry valued at $93,000 was reported missing.
• 1545 East 5th Street, between 8:30 a.m. on August 8 and 11:20 p.m. on August 10. Silver valued at $40,600 was reported missing.
• 1423 46th Street, between 1 p.m. on August 8 and 11 p.m. on August 10. Silver valued at $14,700 was reported missing.
• 1623 42nd Street, at approximately 3 p.m. on August 11. Silver valued at $9,300 was reported missing.

The thief was caught on tape during the 43rd Street burglary.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.

Sheepshead Bites reminds our readers to take the following precautions to prevent a burglary while on vacation.

• Stop your mail, or ask a friend or neighbor to pick it up. Mail and newspapers piling up at the front door tip off would-be burglars.
• Buy a light timer, and set lights in the house to go on and off during the day to give the appearance somebody is home. Don’t leave your lights on all night, as that is another sign to burglars that no one is home.
• Have a friend stop by to check on the property.
• Don’t close the curtains. Leave them exactly as you would when home.
• Do not post information about your whereabouts on social media, or your plans to go on vacation.

The Department of Health is warning residents of the Sheepshead Bay area that they will be spraying pesticides throughout parts of the neighborhood tomorrow night, between 8:15 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

The area to be sprayed is shaded yellow on the map above, although it’s only an approximation.

Like any time a government sprays a bunch of toxic crap in the air, they’re saying the chemical used – Anvil 10+10 – has no known risk to humans. But it’s The Man, man, so here are a couple of things you should do to make sure you stay safe and don’t grow an arm out of your butt (tips courtesy of The Man, not guaranteed to be 100 percent effective):

• Stay indoors whenever possible during that time period – especially if you have asthma or respiratory issues.
• Close the vents on your air-conditioner and set it to recirculate.
• Remove toys, equipment and clothing from outdoor areas. If you leave them out there, make sure to wash them with soap before using them.
• If you have an outdoor garden, wash your produce thoroughly before eating it.

Here’s a .pdf from the city detailing the spraying and safety tips, and here’s the city’s webpage for West Nile Virus.

Avenue I and East 16th Street, the scene of the shooting. (Source: Google Maps)

Months after a double shooting in Midwood left one dead and no arrests, authorities are offering a $12,000 reward for information leading to an indictment.

The quiet, peaceful stretch of East 16th Street near Avenue I erupted into violence just after 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 18. Neighbors reported hearing a series of gunshots, and police arrived to find Gerard Grant, 23, slumped dead over the steering wheel of his 2011 Toyota Camry. A 24-year-old man in the passenger seat was found with another gunshot wound to the head and was rushed to Kings County Hospital.

It appeared to be a drive-by shooting, with the victims made easy marks after turning onto the dead-end block.

No suspects have been identified, and cops are now offering a hefty reward for information. The Police Foundation is offering $10,000 while CrimeStoppers has upped the ante with an additional $2,000. The reward will be paid if information leads to an arrest and indictment of a suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.

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.

The NYPD announced the arrest of 18-year-old Malique Young yesterday evening, the second and final suspect wanted for the shocking assault and robbery of an 18-year-old woman in Midwood on Sunday.

Young, of Flatlands, is charged with robbery in the second degree. His alleged accomplice, Tyler Hoppin, 18, was busted Wednesday night and charged with robbery, assault and criminal possession of stolen property.

Hoppin and Young are accused of following an 18-year-old woman into her Avenue M and East 18th Street apartment building. The video shows the woman enter the elevator, followed by two men who abruptly drag her into the hallway by her hair and begin pummeling her with their fists before making off with her bag. They then tossed the bag into bushes outside of the building.

In the video, the man believed to be Young is the first to grab the woman, and the two knock her to the ground. Young holds her down while the man believed to be Hoppin begins punching her repeatedly. As the woman continues to struggle, it does appear that Young kicks and punches the woman.

It is not yet clear why the cops have hit Young with a lesser charge.

Tyler Hoppin (Source: Instagram)

Councilman Chaim Deutsch praised the police for the quick capture of the suspects, and said the incident highlights the role clear surveillance footage can play in crime fighting. He sent the following statement:

I commend Deputy Inspector Richard DiBlasio and the NYPD’s 70th precinct for their dedication and commitment in the apprehension of the second suspect in the July 27th assault in Midwood. The timely arrest of the two culprits in this vicious crime is also due in part to the existence of clear, quality surveillance footage that was obtained of the attack. Security cameras are becoming increasingly significant in the policing and safety of our neighborhoods, as is demonstrated again in this most recent crime. I will be reaching out to Brooklyn DA Ken Thompson to share my concerns and I am confident that he will prosecute the two perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law.

Following an aggressive police search that included requests for help from the public and Councilman Chaim Deutsch’s offer of $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of two individuals wanted in the alleged assault and robbery of an 18-year-old in her Midwood apartment Sunday evening, the NYPD announced last night one arrest has been made in regards to the crime that was caught on surveillance tape.

Tyler Hoppin, 18, of Canarsie, was arrested and charged with robbery, assault, and criminal possession of stolen property, police said.

According to police, the two suspects followed the victim into her apartment building near Avenue M and East 18th Street around 9:40 p.m. Sunday. The suspects were shown on the surveillance tape pulling the woman from the elevator, after which police said they allegedly punched and kicked her and stole her purse.

We tracked down Hoppin’s instagram photos, which feature many a selfie and photos of food.

While police have not yet announced a second arrest, Deutsch, who commended the NYPD for nabbing Hoppin, said it will hopefully be imminent.

“Under the command of Inspector Richard DiBlasio, the 70th Precinct worked swiftly and diligently to apprehend one of the perpetrators of this despicable crime,” Deutsch said in a statement to the press. “I am confident that another arrest is forthcoming. I thank the hardworking officers who continue to keep our streets safe and our children protected.”

Video via the NYPD. Photos via Instagram.

Police are asking for your help in identifying and locating two males who the NYPD said followed an 18-year-old woman into her Midwood apartment building and proceeded to physically assault and rob her on Sunday evening.

According to the police, the suspects followed the victim into her apartment building’s elevator around 9:40 p.m., punched and kicked her, and stole her purse. They fled to an unknown location.

The NYPD did not provide the exact address of where the crime took place.

Police described one suspect as being a black male who is around 20 to 25 years old and wore a black t-shirt and multi-colored pants. The second suspect was described by police as being a black male in his late teens to early 20s, weighing about 240 pounds, and wearing an orange t-shirt, beige shorts and a backpack.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.

Police said all calls made to them are confidential.

UPDATE (2:27 p.m.): Councilman Chaim Deutsch is offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects involved. The incident occurred near Avenue M and East 18th Street.

“Violent crimes such as this will not be tolerated.” said Deutsch. “I am working closely with the 70th Precinct to help bring the perpetrators to justice and I encourage people to come forward with information that can assist the NYPD in leading to an arrest.”

Photos and video via the NYPD.

– Anna Gustafson

Yaakov Weingarten (Source: vosizneias.com)

A Brooklyn Supreme Court judge ordered Midwood Rabbi Yaakov Weingarten and his wife, Rivka, to pay more than $520,000 for setting up phony not-for-profit organizations claiming to benefit Israel and then using the donations as their personal piggy bank.

The Weingartens were busted last summer, accused of operating a call center out of 1493 Coney Island Avenue in Midwood to raise millions of dollars through 19 separate charities. The scammers claimed the funds would go to programs in Israel or to religious activities. But prosecutors say the charities never existed, and the funds instead went to Weingarten and his family.

Weingarten, 53, withdrew more than $2 million from the charity bank accounts between 2007 and 2013, prosecutors said. They used the funds to pay for mortgages on their two homes, remodeiling expenses, personal vehicles, video rentals, dental visits and even a trip to Borgata Casino in Atlantic City. They attempted to hide their shenanigans by transferring funds between the non-profit accounts. It appears the setup was too difficult for even the Weingartens to keep track of; they bounced more than 2,100 checks, resulting in more than $65,000 in donations being wasted on bank overdraft fees.

On Wednesday, the judge ordered the Weingartens to forfeit $522,315 as part of a civil judgement. Approximately $360,000 of those funds will go to two Israeli charitable organizations that carry out actual programs similar to the ones Weingarten claimed during his phony fundraising pitches to donors: the Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, the preeminent pediatric hospital in Israel, and United Hatzalah of Israel, a leading Israeli volunteer emergency medical services organization.

Weingarten previously pleaded guilty to felony tax fraud, allowing him to escape time behind bars. However, he and his associates, Simon Weiss and David Yifat, are barred from any fundraising or charitable activites in the state of New York. He also faces five years probation, and has already paid $90,685 in restitution as part of the criminal charges.

The judge ordered the dissolution of 11 actual non-profits used by Weingarten, as well as eight that existed in name only. They are as follows:

• Hatzalah Rescue of Israel, Inc.;
• Shearim, Inc.;
• Bnei Torah, Inc.;
• Chesed L’Yisrael V’Chasdei Yosef, Inc.;
• Yad L’Shabbat, Inc.;
• Hatzalah Shomron, Inc.;
• Pulse Foundation, Inc.;
• Agudath Chesed Bikur Cholim Israel, Inc.;
• Kupat Reb Meir Baal Haness Bnei Torah Eretz Yisrael, Inc.;
• Congregation Yad L’Shabbat, Inc.;
• Shearim Hayad L’Torah Center for Hatzalah L’Shabbat and Chesed L’Yisrael, Inc.;
• Israel Emergency Center;
• Magen Israel;
• Hayad Victim Assistance Fund;
• Lmaan Hatorah;
• Our Children;
• Zaka Israel;
• Yaldel Simcha Yisrael;
• Yad Yisrael.

“We are committed to fighting to protect everyday New Yorkers, particularly those who want to use some of their hard-earned money to support charitable causes, because there has to be one set of rules for everyone,” Attorney General Schneiderman said via press release. “My office will use all the tools at our disposal to protect New Yorkers from unscrupulous fundraisers for sham charities.”