Man Attempts Car Break-in Right Near Precinct

With his mother in tow, a man attempted to break into a vehicle parked in plain site of the 111 Precinct on Tuesday.

An officer spotted Jonathan Stier fiddling with the driver's side door, parked outside the Starbucks at 215-29, while the owner was buying a cup of joe. Police believe he was attempting to steal items like a laptop from inside the car.

The Starbucks patron also spotted the thief from the cafe's front windows. He rushed out and pushed Stier, also knocking the man's mother to the ground inadvertently, according to Lieutenant Dan Heffernan.

Assistance from the precinct, located at 215-06 Northern Blvd., across the street, one block away from the scene, was quick to arrive.

The elderly woman did not appear to be injured, but did need assistance to stand back up.

The  suspect was arrested at approximately 3:50 pm, and charged with attempted petit larceny and unauthorized use of a vehicle. 

Stier, believed to be a drug addict, and his mother, who Heffernan described as "confused" and not entirely cognizant of the situation, are in-between homes. Police are looking into connecting the mother with social services to assist her.