Peter Cooper Village
By Maria Rocha-Buschel
Police have arrested a man for allegedly stealing packages and bikes in Peter Cooper Village buildings on various days in April.
In one of the most recent incidents, James Curry, 55 allegedly took a bike from inside 370 First Avenue on Monday, April 23 around 3 p.m. The victim told police that he left his bike in the hallway of the building and when he returned, it was missing. Police said that a man could be seen on surveillance video removing the bike, and Curry reportedly identified himself on the video.
The first incident took place on Monday, April 2 sometime between 1 and 10:30 p.m. inside 431 East 20th Street when Curry allegedly stole packages containing knee-high suede boots as well as energy drinks belonging to two different residents.
Both victims told police that they had the items delivered to the building but never received the packages. A porter for the building also told police that he found empty boxes for both the boots and the energy drinks and that someone had taken the items without permission.
Curry allegedly identified himself in a photo still from surveillance video taken in the East 20th Street building around 10:40 p.m. in which a man could be seen leaving with items. Curry confirmed that he does not live there. Police said that he also admitted to stealing packages from the building.
Police said that Curry also allegedly stole tools that had been left inside 3 Peter Cooper Road. Surveillance video from the building reportedly showed a man inside on April 23 around 3:30 p.m. taking items out of a shopping cart, and police said Curry admitted it was him. He also told police that he had sold the tools.
A representative from StuyTown Property Services did not respond to a request for comment and no further information was available about how Curry gained access to the buildings.
Curry was arrested for the alleged burglaries inside the 13th Precinct on Tuesday, May 22 at 5:50 a.m. and was also charged with petit larceny and possession of stolen property.
An attorney for Curry could not be reached for comment.