As you know, there have been some incidents involving vehicle damage at the Motorgate. I directed our Public Safety Officers to pay special attention to this with more patrols by uniformed and plain clothes officers.

On March 13, 2008 at approximately 8:20 PM, Lt. Yee was patrolling the Motorgate Parking Garage, when he noticed a vehicle on the lower level had been broken into. He immediately transmitted the information over the Public Safety Radio. Officers Donet and Hernandez responded and immediately saw a man in close proximity with a back-pack. The man was approached and he set the bag, which was opened, down on bench. He stated the bag and it's contents were his, however, the owner of the vehicle was now at his vehicle. Lt. Yee brought the owner over and he identified and claimed ownership of the bag and several of it's contents.

Mr. Michael Velotta (of 10-13 36th Avenue Astoria, NY 11106) was arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. Subsequent to his arrest, it was later confirmed that he was also wanted on an NYPD Warrant for another crime he committed on June of 2006.

Our Public Safety Officers, with the assistance of P.O. Fernandez of the 114 Pct. were diligent in their response and investigation of this incident.