A daring ding-a-ling snuck into an NYPD precinct, stole a police uniform and walked out the door unnoticed whereas sporting it Monday, prosecutors mentioned.
Timothy Adams, 37, was discovered a day later handed out within the close by Clinton Homes NYCHA constructing, nonetheless sporting the purloined police duds — main a involved good Samaritan to name 911 to report an unconscious cop, authorities mentioned.
“Officers reply and discover the defendant handed out in a NYCHA constructing that he doesn’t stay in,” mentioned Megan Vercere, an assistant district legal professional for Manhattan.
“He’s nonetheless sporting the identical NYPD uniform.”
The alleged post-plunder nap led to Adams’ arrest and arraignment Wednesday on housebreaking, larceny and prison trespassing prices in Manhattan prison courtroom.
Adams, a homeless criminal with a mile-long rap sheet that features three felony and 23 misdemeanor convictions, isn’t any stranger to allegedly stealing police property.
He was convicted in 2021 of breaking into an NYPD automobile and stealing an Emergency Service unit vest, a baton and stay ammunition, prosecutors mentioned.
The arraignment unfolded with Adams, sporting ill-fitting garments, rambling to his public defender as Vercere detailed the contemporary accusations that he overtly walked right into a safe space within the twenty third Precinct constructing alongside East 102nd Avenue.
Video surveillance confirmed Adams stride previous two indicators studying “Licensed Personnel Solely” and into an administrative workplace at about 5:40 a.m., Vercere mentioned and courtroom paperwork element.
How Adams was capable of stroll into the precinct remained unclear Thursday.
“They often have a station home safety,” a police supply mentioned.
“You’re presupposed to be greeted by somebody while you stroll in.”
As soon as contained in the workplace, Adams took a uniform, flex cuffs, keys, police paperwork and different objects, Vercere mentioned.
“He’s caught on video coming into the twenty third Precinct, strolling previous the licensed entry gate and subsequently exiting the precinct whereas sporting a uniform and holding a blue bag,” Vercere mentioned.
The heist was finally foiled Wednesday at about 8:30 p.m. when the 911 caller reported discovering Adams unconscious contained in the NYCHA constructing at Lexington Avenue and 108th Avenue, about six blocks from the precinct, courtroom paperwork state.
Adams, as soon as roused, allegedly instructed arresting cops, “I took all the pieces from the twenty third Precinct,” in accordance with courtroom paperwork.
The listening to pulled double responsibility as an arraignment for separate larceny case during which Adams allegedly stole $2.45 from a tip jar inside a enterprise alongside Madison Avenue on Jan. 6.
Vercere mentioned Adams — who has pleaded responsible to tried housebreaking and tried theft in a number of open courtroom circumstances — dedicated the NYPD theft whereas awaiting sentencing in one other case.
His prison report stretches again to February 2002, when he was arrested for prison mischief and making graffiti, police mentioned.
Choose Jeffrey Gershuny set Adams’ bail at $10,000 money and ordered a psychiatric analysis.
Adams’ subsequent courtroom date is Jan. 26.
