Key Freak Caught

Early Wednesday morning on February 10, a man was seen rummaging through a white Mercedes Benz parked on the corner of Tenth and Island avenues in the East Village. He had allegedly broken into the car and immediately fled on foot after being confronted by two men. A chase then ensued and a plainclothes police officer driving near the scene decided to join the pursuit.

According to witnesses, the police officer drove ahead of the suspect, exited his vehicle, and tackled the man. Residents from the area likened the chase to something out of a movie. The suspect was described by bystanders as a chubby adult male with red hair and a scraggly red goatee.

A building engineer from the M2i condominium (one of the men who confronted the perpetrator) said that a huge keyring was found in the suspect’s possession. On the key-ring were “hundreds” of keys and security fobs believed to access nearby condos. It was also discovered that the suspect had a lengthy criminal history and is out on parole. The man is suspected of being involved in at least six car break-ins that have occurred in the area during the past two weeks.

Upon hearing news of the man’s arrest, several residents were ecstatic but remained puzzled at the idea of how he could get access to so many condominium keys and security fobs.