Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops Fatally Shoot Alleged Bank Robber

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops Fatally Shoot Alleged Bank Robber: By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 27- A suspect wanted in an armed robbery at a Chase Bank ATM was shot and killed  as he fought wit...

Cops Fatally Shoot Alleged Bank Robber

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 27- A suspect wanted in an armed robbery at a Chase Bank ATM was shot and killed  as he fought with police on Davidson Avenue in Morris Heights.

Cops say James Torres, 44, was hit two-times in the chest at just after 4 a.m. on Thursday, December 26 after the confronted officers. Torres was shot during the scuffle with a pair of uniformed officers from the 46th Precinct. Torres later died at St. Barnabas Hospital. 

A loaded .380 caliber handgun was recovered at the scene. Police say Torres had an extensive criminal background with three felony convictions and 22 misdemeanor convictions for a host of crimes including assault, robbery, weapons possession and an assault of a police officer.  

Carlos Beltran Officially Introduced by New York Yankees

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 21- For the third time in the past three weeks, the New York Yankees officially introduced one of their free agent signees. These brief meetings with the press and media are wise ways for an organization to publicize its franchise in a positive manner and demonstrate to its fan base its efforts to improve the performance of the team in the coming season.

Catcher Brian McCann, center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and on Friday, Carlos Beltran were the subjects of these public events. The player least needing an introduction to New York fans is Beltran.

The 36 year-old outfielder has been in the majors since 1998 and was a star on the New York Mets from 2005-2011. During that time, he has compiled very creditable on the field statistics and conducted himself humbly and gentlemanly off the field.  

After playing 14 games for the Kansas City Royals in 1998, Beltran earned the American League Rookie-of-the Year Award in 1999. After a trade to Houston during the 2004 season, Beltran became a free agent and was hopeful of signing with the Yankees in 2005.

Beltran recalled this experience, “I grew up being a Yankee fan, a Bernie Williams fan. I used to look up to this organization. They always did what it takes to put good teams out there and win championships. Eight-nine years ago, they [Yankees] couldn’t commit to the years I wanted. They were having problems with the salary cap. They got Randy Johnson and I signed with the Mets.”

Although he still retains the hurtful memories of having been unfairly spoken of negatively by Mets brass, Beltran put the entire Mets experience in a positive light, “I have good memories of Queens. As a person, I met so many good people. In my career, my best numbers were with the Mets.”

Beltran responded with total honesty when asked how playing for the Yanks will be different than playing for the Mets, “I don’t know. I have to experience it.”

New York Yankees President Randy Levine explained one of the reasons the Yankees desired to sign Beltran, “We know he can play in New York. A lot of great players can’t.” Beltran later explained the meaning of Levine’s words from his own playing experience, “Playing here [New York] is different than playing anywhere else. The attention here is more; that’s pressure.”

Despite the pressure, he talked of his happiness of being in New York, a feeling that was not always realized by the public, “People misunderstood that I didn’t like New York. I really did enjoy it. My wife loves it here.”

As a Latino born in Puerto Rico, the veteran major leaguer expressed happiness of being in the Bronx, “I’m proud that on this side of town we have a lot of Puerto Ricans. I have a double responsibility, representing the Yankees and representing my country. We’re going to have some fun.”

The socially conscious individual also spoke of his responsibility of giving back to the community, “My opportunity as a player is to give back. We are going to do something positive.”

As a veteran player who at the end of his current three year contact will have played in the majors for 18 seasons, Beltran is thinking of the future. He said although he never gave thought to the Hall of Fame, people have told him it could be in his future. Because of this possibility, he felt a strong preference for a three year rather than two year contract, “The third year, to me, is important. It allows me to play longer and get better numbers.”

The statistics and honors earned by Beltran are already quite impressive. The eight time All-Star, three time Gold Glove winner and recipient of the Silver Slugger twice is worthy of being considered. His .333 batting average in 51 post-season games also adds to his high reputation.

He responded to a query of when he will retire, “It depends on how I feel. Right now, I consider it my last contract.”

Perhaps, the comment by Levine of why this contract between Beltran and the Yankees was signed was most appropriate, “The stars were aligned.”

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Dunkin’ Dimwits Can’t Make Off with Ca$H

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Dunkin’ Dimwits Can’t Make Off with Ca$H: By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 19- Call them the crooks that can’t knock over anything. A wannabe Bonny and Clyde tried unsucc...

Dunkin’ Dimwits Can’t Make Off with Ca$H

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 19- Call them the crooks that can’t knock over anything. A wannabe Bonny and Clyde tried unsuccessfully to stick up two chain stores.

At around 12:30 p.m. on December 7, a man and woman walked into a Carvel on Morris Avenue. The woman acted as a lookout as the male pulled out a handgun and demanded cash. The gunman grabbed the worker’s purse and attempted to flee. During the course of the getaway, the crooks dropped the purse fleeing empty handed. 

The pair struck again at around 6:30 a.m. on December 13. This time they tried to rob a Dunkin’ Donuts on Prospect Avenue. As the female crook acted as lookout, the gunman slapped the store employee in the face and demanded money. When the worker refused to fork over the cash, the pair left empty handed. 

The gunman is described as a black male between the ages of 25 and 30. He is 5 foot 8 and weighs 160 pounds. His accomplice is a black woman between the ages of 25 and 30. She is 5 foot 6 and weighs 180 pounds. 

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are confidential. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Holiday Hold ups at Cell Stores

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Holiday Hold ups at Cell Stores: By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 19- On the third day of Christmas, a Bronx bandit is on the NYPD’s wanted list for: sticking up...

Holiday Hold ups at Cell Stores

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 19- On the third day of Christmas, a Bronx bandit is on the NYPD’s wanted list for: sticking up 3 cell phone stores, punching one clerk in the face and making off with over $6 grand in cash. 

Police released surveillance video of the gunman who has held up three cell phone stores over the course of the past month. The first incident occurred on November 24 when the thief stuck up a Boost Mobile store on Webster Avenue. The suspect entered the store, displayed a handgun and demanded cash. He fled with $560.

At around 6 p.m. on November 29, cops say the suspect walked into the Simple Mobile store on Webster Avenue and showed off his handgun. The bandit proceeded to punch the clerk in the face and demanded cash. The gunman made off with $1,400 and the clerk suffered only minor injuries. 

At around 2:17 p.m. on December 8, the gunman struck again in the same store. This time he robbed the same Boost Mobile store and made off with $4,500. No one was injured in this stickup.

The gunman is described as a 25-year-old black male, who is between 5 foot 10 to 6 feet tall and weighs about 185 pounds. 

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are confidential. 

Tags: Holiday, Stickup, Cell phone, Boost Mobile