“What’s your delivery area?,” I asked during a recent trip to Zito’s Sandwich Shoppe in Park Slope.
“Where do you live?” asked co-owner and Bensonhurst native Enzo Conigliaro.
“Bay Parkway in the 60′s,” I said without missing a beat.
“No… that’s… just too far,” Enzo replied, looking back at me with a combination of both empathy and concern for my mental health.
While I pretty much knew the answer before even posing my question, Continue Reading »
The Huffington Post reported earlier today that a suspect arrested for a pair of sexual assaults this weekend in Sunset Park might be connected to a string of rapes and gropings in central and southwestern Brooklyn that began earlier this year.
Federico Chamorro Yax – who lives in Bensonhurst – was arrested in his apartment on Sunday night. Police believe he may also be responsible for a September 4, attack on a 30-year-old woman near his home.
During the September sexual assault a man forced his hand up the woman’s skirt.
Yax reportedly attacked two 22-year-old women in Sunset Park on Sunday. The victims fought back and managed to injure their attacker. Hours after the episode, police found Yax at home still bleeding from the fight.
From Huffington Post:
Police have been searching for suspects connected to a series of sexual assaults being reported in Brooklyn, specifically Park Slope, Sunset Park, and other nearby neighborhoods. As of September 23, ten attacks had been reported since March and have contributed to a rise in subway crime.
Police say that it is still unknown however, whether or not Yax can be connected to the Park Slope attacks, which have generated a wave of community action to fight against sexual predators including a 300 person rally and volunteer escort services to protect women walking home from subway stations.
The above video, posted online by ABC 7, shows images of Yax in custody.
Police sketches of the perpetrator
A rapist who police thought they had back in June is actually still at large and has attempted to once again prey on women in South Park Slope and now, Sunset Park.
The rapist, who struck while initial suspect William Giraldo of Bensonhurst was in police custody, has attempted a number of sexual assaults in recent weeks. In most cases, he would grab or grope a woman from behind.
Fortunately, during the most recent attempts, victims have managed to either alert neighbors with screams, scaring the suspect away and/or successfully fend off the attacker – who is described as small in stature.
News blog Gothamist is reporting that a group recently formed in Park Slope to prevent future attacks and raise awareness of a rapist that’s still on the loose, plans to hold a rally tonight near the sight of one of the attacks.
From Gothamist:
Safe Slope, a group formed last month, the “Take Back Our Streets” rally will begin by the Prospect Avenue R stop on 4th Avenue at 17th Street at 8 p.m., ending at the Detective Joseph Mayrose Park on 17th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. Council Speaker Christine Quinn; Council Members Sara Gonzalez and Brad Lander are expected to join the rally, and at the park the Center for Anti-Violence Education will offer a mini self-defense demonstration. (You can also sign up for a series of free self-defense classes they are offering in collaboration with Council Members Sara Gonzalez and Brad Lander.)
The group is also launching a Safe Walk program in South Slope/Greenwood Heights/Windsor Terrace on Thursday through Sunday nights, between 8:00pm and 3:00am. Safe Walk volunteers will provide “pick-ups” at local establishments and subway stops and will provide “drop-offs” anywhere between 9th and 30th Streets and between 2nd and 8th Avenues in Brooklyn. The number to call if you want a Safe Walk volunteer to join you is T.B.A. And if you are interested in volunteering, the group urges you to email them at safeslope@gmail.com.
One of the rapist’s attacks from earlier this year touched off an internal affairs investigation into alleged inaction by police.
Similarly, a woman who says she may have had a run-in with the rapist, described receiving a rude and dismissive response, while trying to report the encounter to law enforcement.
Earlier this year, the rapist had also attacked a victim in Bay Ridge.
Anyone who has been the victim of either an assault or attempted assault should immediately call 911.
Anyone who has information regarding the rapist’s identity is strongly urged to contact Crimestoppers at 1-800 577 TIPS (800 577 8477).
Bensonhurst Bean urges all of our readers, regardless of location, to remain alert, especially when walking alone at night.
In addition to statements by Assemblyman Dov Hikind, Rep. Jerrold Nadler and Councilman David Greenfield we reported on this morning, earlier this afternoon Assemblyman Peter Abbate, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer all released statements expressing their condolences to Leiby Kletzky’s family and thanking volunteers for their help in the search. (Update 2:52 pm- Councilman Michael Nelson also released a statement, at 2:31 pm)
From Assemblyman Abbate:
Brooklyn, NY— Assemblyman Peter Abbate, who represents Borough Park in addition to Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, and Dyker Heights, issued the following statement today on the horrifying abduction and murder of Leibby Kletzky, a 9-year-old boy.
“First and foremost, I extend my most heartfelt condolences to the Kletzky family. As a parent, I know that this is nothing short of a nightmare. Over the past 48 hours, thousands came together, putting forth an extraordinary effort in the search for Leibby. Now, as a community, we join in continuing to support the Kletzky family in any way possible.
I thank all of those from the Hatzolah, Shomrim, Chaveirim, NYPD, FBI and every single person who put up a flier, walked on the street or contributed in any way to the search. The massive outpouring of help is a clear indicator that even in the face of the greatest adversity, we are a strong united community.
No family should ever have to endure a tragedy such as this. I know the community and all of New York City joins me in keeping the Kletzky family in our thoughts and prayers.”
Borough President Markowitz:
“I join Brooklynites and all New Yorkers in mourning the passing of Leiby Kletzky, the victim of a sickening murder that has saddened and outraged Brooklyn’s close-knit Jewish community and families throughout our city and the nation. My sincerest gratitude to all those who searched for Leiby while he was missing—including Assemblyman Hikind, Shomrim Patrol and Hatzolah—and to the NYPD for acting immediately to investigate and apprehend a suspect. Click here to read BP Markowitz’s full statement as well as press releases by Manhattan BP Stringer and Councilman Nelson
The dumpster where police found Leiby Kletzky's body (Todd Maise for Daily News)
At about 9:30 am this morning, the Daily News updated their story, quoting Dov
Suspected killer Levi Aron (Facebook via Daily News)
Hikind that the suspected Borough Park child killer is Jewish. Authorities still have yet to release his name. The suspect, whose name is Levi Aron, lives with his parents in the nearby neighborhood of Kensington, in a third floor attic apartment. He has yet to be charged.
Shomrim patrol coordinator Jacob Daskel told the Daily News that he knows the suspect from around the neighborhood.
As we previously reported, the missing boy’s body was found in a Park Slope dumpster and apparent body parts, including the boy’s feet, were found in the suspect’s refrigerator.
The main suspect, who at the time of publishing remains unidentified Levi Aron, moved to Brooklyn from Memphis, Tennessee after divorcing his wife Debbie Kivel who, according to the Daily News, had also filed an order of protection against him. He works at Empire Hardware (639 McDonald Avenue). A co-worker quoted by the News said the Aron arrived to work ill seeming normal yesterday. He said the suspect was known to have a temper. Continue Reading »
Leiby Kletzky, 8 (from Daily News)
The Daily News is reporting that the body of Leiby Kletzky, the 8-year-old Borough Park boy that went missing yesterday, was found early this morning on Fourth Avenue in Park Slope. His body had been dismembered. Body parts were also found in a suspect’s refrigerator on East 2nd Street in Kensington.
From the Daily News:
More than a dozen NYPD detectives swarmed the scene outside the Park Slope Auto Center at 651 Fourth Ave where the dismembered remains of little Leiby Kletzky may were discovered. Sources said the body of the Orthodox Jewish boy was found after police checked the large gray trash container, which had its lid open.
Three suspects were in custody, police sources said.
“I’ve never seen a community feel more depression than they are at the moment,” Assemblyman dov Hikind (D- Borough Park) said he said in an interview broadcast on NY1. “Whoever did this is sick beyond belief.”
Representative Jerrold Nadler released the following statement:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 13, 2011
CONTACT: Ilan Kayatsky, 212-367-7350
NEW YORK, NY – Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), representative of Borough Park, issued the following statement on the shocking abduction and murder of Leibby Kletzky, a 9-year-old boy from the neighborhood:
“When news of Leibby’s disappearance broke, I joined my constituents and parents everywhere in a sense of fear and concern, mixed with a powerful hope that he would be found unharmed. Today, I am speechless and shocked by the brutality and injustice of this horrific crime. As a father and a human being, I am deeply saddened that so innocent a soul could be so cruelly taken. I join my constituents in Borough Park and people everywhere in wishing the Kletzky family strength and blessings to heal from this awful tragedy.”
Jerrold Nadler has served in Congress since 1992. He represents New York’s 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
UPDATE (11:23 am)
Councilman David Greenfield also released a statement this morning at 9:15 am regarding the death of Leiby Kletzky:
STATEMENT OF COUNCILMAN DAVID GREENFIELD ON THE DEATH OF LEIBBY KLETZKY“This morning we learned of the shocking death of Leibby Kletzky and our hearts go out to the entire Kletzky family as they grapple with the loss of their innocent child.
The outpouring of support from the community since Leibby’s disappearance 36 hours ago was extraordinary and I know that the community will continue to rally around the Kletzky family as they mourn. As they mourn, the entire community will mourn with them.
I thank the NYPD and FBI for leaving no stone unturned in the search. I also thank members of Shomrim, Hatzolah, Chaveirim and Misaskim for their incredible efforts in the search for Leibby. Finally, to the thousands of volunteers – regular citizens – who walked the streets of Brooklyn day and night since Monday: the community will always be grateful for what you did.
I trust that our District Attorney will prosecute all of the repugnant individuals responsible for this heinous crime to the fullest extent of the law.”
Please stay tuned to Bensonhurst Bean. We’ll continue coverage of this story with any updates we learn, particularly concerning the three suspects, throughout the day.
This is a breaking news story which may contain inaccuracies. The article will be updated as more information becomes available. If anyone has additional information or photos, please send them to jteutonico [at] bensonhurstbean [dot] com.
First, an explanation as to why we had so much coverage about this yesterday when none of the reported assaults were in Bensonhurst:
Yesterday, I decided to report on a rape suspect wanted by police who had allegedly been preying on women throughout Central and Southwestern Brooklyn. The attacks were in Sunset Park, Bay Ridge and Park Slope; neighborhoods either adjacent to Bensonhurst or relatively accessible from it by mass transit. I thought it was a good bet that the suspect would be traveling through here next.
It wasn’t a huge surprise to me, other than the initial shock of sharing my quiet neighborhood with a rape suspect, when I read in this morning’s Post that William Giraldo resides in Bensonhurst.
According to the Post, the first attempted rape, which took place on 16th street in Park Slope, was caught on a neighbor’s surveillance camera. That attack is currently under investigation by the Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau.
After initially being unable to find the suspect or victim, police refused the neighbor’s video of the attack and “notified 911 that the call was ‘unfounded’.”
Later, the victim called the police but, when she followed up on the case days later, was told it was closed. This begs the question of whether this past Saturday’s attack could have been prevented with a more diligent preliminary investigation. Continue Reading »
Above is a police sketch released Sunday of a rapist currently on the loose in Central and Southwestern Brooklyn.
The man in the above sketch had struck three previous times- March 20 on 16th Street in Park Slope, May 3 on Ridge Boulevard in Bay Ridge and May 29 on 55th Street in Sunset Park. During all of these attempts he grabbed the women from behind but ran when they screamed.
During his latest attack on 55th Street in Sunset Park on Saturday, June 4, the suspect followed a 28-year-old woman into her apartment, where he raped her.
If you see anyone acting suspiciously and matching the sketch above, please call 911 or Crimestoppers at 1-800 577 TIPS (800 577 8477).
Daily News: Sicko sought by cops in Brooklyn rape of 28-year-old woman
