Safety Flyers Popping Up in Brooklyn

A few weekends back yet another woman was attacked in Sunset Park as she entered her apartment building (this is officially becoming the summer of everyone-please-watch-your-backs). A FIPS reader recently sent us an email with this flyer attached, and said they were being handed out by the 72nd Pct. via CB7: 

They forgot to add the 11th measure: If you sense someone may be following you, pull your cell phone out and speak loudly into it: "Man, I just can't seem to get rid of these GODAWFUL, ITCHY CRABS!" 

Seriously, though. Stay safe, Park Slope. 

Another Attempted Rape Went Down Last Weekend

View more videos at: http://nbcnewyork.com.

Unfortunately, we have yet another attempted sexual assault to add to the growing list of recent incidents in South Brooklyn.

From a Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Heights bulletin:

On Saturday, June 25 at approx. 4AM a young woman, who had just left a group of friends, was entering her building, in/around 7th ave and 20th St., when she was grabbed from behind. The attacker attempted to force his way into the building, but she was able to fight him off. He escaped up 8th Ave. She was not harmed. The 72nd Pct. is considering this an attempted sexual assault. They have recovered video of the attack and have sent it to the local news outlets.

Click to read more ...

BREAKING: PERV ARRESTED AT KEY FOODS ON 5TH AVE

Image taken after the incident this morn (credit: Park Slope Lens)Is this the summer of sexual assaults in Park Slope? God damn, apparently so.

We received  a tip this morn that something shady went down at the Fifth Ave location of Key Foods and yep: it sure as hell did. From the police:

“Today at approximately 1100 hours we responded to 150 5th ave in the confines of the 78 precinct. Upon arrival we were informed that a female, white, 40 was trying to stop a male Hispanic 28 from taking pictures underneath her skirt. As she attempted to grab the suspect’s phone she injured her shoulder. She did not require or request any medical attention. The Key Food employees stopped the man in question. Police responded to the store and he was being held by the employees.”

The NY Post and Gothamist also picked up on the story.

Apparently the dude tried to run out and 4 Key Foods employees were not havin it. He was later arrested.

What the hell is going on here, ppl?

1. NICE FUCKING WORK, KEY FOOD EMPLOYEES! Thanks for grabbing this asshole.
2. This sexual assault stuff is all getting way out of hand. I'm not scared of anything, and even I'm walking around the neighborhood with my keys in in the "kill" position in one hand and my other hand on a canister of pepper spray in my purse.
3. Hope this chick is ok and that this dude stays in jail.

Cops Allegedly Refused Stoop Surveillance Tape In Park Slope Attack

Internal Affairs Bureau investigators are looking into allegations that the police from the 72nd precinct who responded to the March 20th attack of a woman on 16th street did not accept the surveillance tape that a neighbor was trying to hand over upon their arrival. 

Via The Post:

"Ray was telling the police, 'I have the tape, I have the tape,' " said neighbor Donald Harrington. But cops said "they weren't interested," Harrington added. Law-enforcement sources who confirmed the IAB probe said the cops who responded notified 911 that the March 20 call was "unfounded" after being unable to locate the woman.

Wow....just wow.

The victim did call police to report the attack a few hours later, and followed up after ten days went by with no word from them. She was told at the time that the case had been labeled, improperly, as "closed" (!!???) It was only when the woman was later interviewed by a detective that the surveillance tape was requested. 

Click to read more ...

Update: Brooklyn Rape Suspect Says He's Innocent

The man seen in this surveillance video inside a local Dunkin' Donuts has come forward to profess his innocence. Though the DD location was not specified, I assume it's the one on 4th ave and 25th street, since officials say that they believe he followed a woman from this location to her Greenwood Heights apartment, where he assaulted her. 

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly says, Via NY1:

"We had an individual who turned himself in and said he is the one that's on the tape that we showed a tape from Dunkin' Donuts as you recall but he claims that he didn't have anything to do with the crime. The investigation is ongoing. We're still talking to this individual," Kelly said.

We'll keep you posted as more news is provided. 

UPDATE: Tuesday, 11PM: NY1 reports that the man is 24 year-old William Giraldo, who was questioned by police all day before being arrested and charged with rape late this evening. As of now he's only being charged with the latest incident (further charges include robbery, assault, sexual abuse and sexual misconduct) that occurred in Greenwood Heights this past Saturday. An investigation is still ongoing with regard to the other three attacks, but it sounds like he's still the main suspect for those as well. 

[Second Update: 12/12/11: William Giraldo has been cleared of all charges following a DNA test]