The Recent Lower East Side Crime Wave
A localized crime wave has seemingly accompanied the arrival of warmer weather here on the Lower East Side. Indeed, the last few months have been replete with violence and nightlife busts, keeping the Seventh Precinct fairly busy. Whether or not the storied “bad old days” have returned, the atmosphere in the neighborhood of late seems on the edge.
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Herewith, a listicle chronicling some criminal activity which transpired within the last three months. June is especially heavy on the drama:
- April 10: Sara Coit was murdered inside her apartment at 63 Clinton Street at the hand of live-in boyfriend Raul Barrera.
- May 10: a 50-year-old man was fatally stabbed in the torso at the Stanton House halfway house at 190 Stanton.
- May 12: a knife-wielding mugger robbed five victims during a four-day period in May. The perpetrator targeted young women across the Lower East Side.
- June 14: Pilgrim vintage boutique at 75 Orchard Street was robbed. The owner was pushed through the glass while resisting, and reportedly required 80 stitches.
- June 20: a 23-year-old Brooklyn man named Jonathan Alston was shot in the head outside 85 Pitt Street just after midnight. He did not survive.
- June 23: 155 Suffolk Street was burglarized in the early morning hours, and police chased in pursuit.
- June 24: a suicidal twenty-something nearly jumped from the roof of 1 Essex Street. Cops were able to grab her before the plunge.
- June 28: Felicia Cruz was found murdered inside her boyfriend’s apartment at 101 Stanton Street. The perp wrapped the dead body in a plastic sheet. Cruz was missing for days before being found.
- June 29: Police shut down the album release party of Smif & Wessun just after midnight. A riot ensued, and many patrons were beaten on the street. Many say that the hip hop crew has a reputation for inciting violence at their gigs.
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