111th Precinct Reports One Murder, But Overall Crime Drops in 2011

Crime in the 111th Precinct is down 17 percent during the first quarter of 2011, despite a February homicide that was the first murder in the precinct in nearly two years, according to police statistics.

The number of incidents dropped in four of the major seven crime categories, including felony assault, burglary, grand larceny and auto theft. But the precinct reported one murder so far this year as well as slight increases in the number of rapes and robberies.

The year’s sole murder took place on Feb. 12 at a home on 215th Street in Bayside, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.

Matthew Devlin is alleged to have beaten his brother, John Devlin, about the head with a baseball bat, giving him a laceration that took 35 staples to close as well as bleeding and swelling, the DA said.

John Devlin then allegedly spotted his brother going upstairs toward the bedroom of his mother, Elizabeth Devlin, who died from lacerations to her head after remaining in a medically induced coma at a Queens hospital for several days, according to the criminal complaint.  

Matthew Devlin allegedly admitted that he had an argument with his mother and brother, the DA said. He was originally charged with attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

But his charges were upgraded to include murder after his mother died, police said.

There have been two rapes in the 111th Precinct so far this year. In 2010, the precinct reported one incident during the first quarter and six overall for the year.

Last year, the precinct had reported 20 robberies following the first quarter, but there have been 24 so far in 2011. There were a total 81 robberies in the precinct last year.

But the number of felony assaults has fallen from 12 incidents in 2010’s first quarter to 10 incidents in 2011. The precinct reported 52 felony assaults last year.

Burglary has dropped from 61 incidents during 2010’s first quarter to 38 in the first three months of 2011. The precinct reported a total 253 burglaries last year.

Grand larceny incidents have dipped from 85 during last year’s first quarter to 68 this year so far. The total for 2010 was 366 incidents.

The precinct reported 28 grand larceny auto incidents in the first three months of 2010, but 27 this year so far. Last year’s total was 135 incidents.

A March 16 shooting, which took place in Flushing’s 109th Precinct, claimed the life of Bernard Cho, a 28-year-old Douglaston resident.

A Little Neck resident, Caleb Ahn, 16, and another teen from Astoria have been arrested in the shooting, the DA said. The suspects were allegedly negotiating a drug deal with the victim at the time, he said.  

The defendants, who have been charged with murder, could face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted, the DA said.