By Dan Gesslein
Cops are looking for a pair of panhandlers who beat and threatened a man with a gun when the subway rider refused to give them change.
At around 3:45 am on February 26, a 27-year-old man was inside the Morrison Avenue-Soundview station for the Number 6 train. A man approached the straphanger
and asked him for money. The subway rider said he did not have any and walked to the southbound platform.
Cops say the panhandler followed him to the platform
and then pounced. He threw the man to the ground and began kicking and punching the straphanger in the face and about the body. Then a second man walked up to the victim and placed a black handgun to the victim’s head. The gunman removed the victim’s wallet from his pants. Then the gunman and the original panhandler walked out of the station together in an un-
known direction.
However, one of the suspects was caught on surveillance video at a nearby grocery store with his face mask down. The suspect caught on video has a light complexion. He was last seen wearing a black winter coat with a white or tan hooded liner. He wore a grey hoodie beneath it and a dark baseball cap. He also had a beard.
Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential.
Some visitors to Parkchester who apparently illegally park on what's considered "private property," are being startled by the site of their vehicles hooked up to tow trucks, with the operator allegedly demanding cash before releasing it.
On March 2, "Devin" from nearby East Tremont Avenue, could be heard hollering at the driver from Bear Transportation down the block. After he said he paid the driver $136 and was waiting for another tow truck operator to return with his vehicle, he fumed, "I was in the bank for less than five minutes."
He continued, "It was nowhere near the front of that entrance... there was no reason for them to tow my car.”
Admitting he was illegally parked, Devin replied, "People hop out of their car and run back in their house really quick, it always happens and granted, you're breaking the law, but there has to be some rhyme or reason to this."
Devin added, "It's all a scam. It's all for them to just make money... and I'm pretty sure it's happened to a million other people coming through here.”
Moments after another car was un-hooked from a tow truck
near the post office on West Avenue, that driver abruptly left the scene after paying, when Parkchester resident "Eddie," offered a bit of advice, "If you park on top of these lines, they'll come by and snatch your shit and pick it up until you pay.”
Eddie then claimed, "I've seen them charge $185 from one person, $235 from another person, you know it's their own price."
Eddie continued, "The Haitian guy they charged him $235, now the brother they charged him $185, so why are they different?" Eddie added, "They're out to make money.”
On February 24, "Adgaratou" a female resident from Parkchester who, like Devin had ironically illegally parked outside the bank only to have to go back to the bank to withdraw more cash to allegedly pay the tow truck driver. Adgaratou said she was also charged $136. She recalled, "When I came out, they took my car. I asked him to
help me, and he told me I have to pay... I had to pay cash.”
Adgaratou was not issued a summons, but did receive a receipt, she added, "No, I didn't like that." Asked how the man's demeanor was, she replied, "No! No, he was not nice, he's not nice.”
On March 3, the Bronx Voice contacted New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda, who stated, "It's possible" for the city and a private contractor to patrol the same area." He continued, "It's possible that both agencies have oversight, but the corporation itself, the private condominiums, have the ability to hire private tow on the spaces they control.”
On February 17, a Traffic Enforcement Agent who works for the city and knew of the situation, when he stated, "Yes, the housing complex people, they do that... They don't issue the ticket, but they tow it. No standing, no parking, they're looking for that all the time." The agent who did not want to provide his name added, "People come to us and we say it's not our business. This is the condominium people, their office is 2000 East Tremont Avenue. You can go there.”
Repeated attempts to reach Parkchester South Condominium were unsuccessful.
On March 6, Public Safety officer Valentine of the Parkchester North Condominium stated, "There is a drop fee, that's just the rules and regulations of their establishment. There's a drop fee on property, off property it goes to the yard. The drop fee is $60-something I believe. If it goes to the yard, it's a hundred-and-something.”
Officer Valentine was then told about New York Attorney
General Letitia James who had filed a case in June against a tow truck company in Poughkeepsie, NY., charging the business with "predatory" business practices, and some visitors to Parkchester are making the same accusations. Officer Valentine replied, "They've got that right to file claims, you know that's up to them and that goes along with that company. We have nothing to do with that company.”
After repeated attempts to contact someone at Bear Transportation, located on Colgate Avenue, an unidentified male answering the telephone on March 6, was told about complaints made about the company, when he responded, "All right, I'm getting a lot of complaints about you too. You harass us. You harass people."
When told a photograph was taken for a news story, the man replied, "Are you like a drive around rat? You just go in and follow people and mess things up and don't mind your business?”
When asked if he was the owner, the man replied, "You don't have to worry about who I am. You’re not on my side. Do you even know about the tow business? All right, so do your investigation on that, find out what we do and then call us back. Because you know nothing about towing and how it works and the stuff we go through. All right, so figure that out and do a better investigation.”
The Bronx Voice has reached out to Councilwoman Amanda Farias (D-18) to see if her office has received any complaints regarding Bear Transportation as well as the Office of the Attorney General.
By Samantha Maldonado, The City
The City Council last week passed a slate of bills in an effort to prevent lithium-ion battery fires.
Over the past two years, lithium-ion batteries have caused a record number of fires, with the batteries that power e-bikes and e-scooters the source of the vast majority of those incidents, according to the Fire Department.
Some of the bills in the package restrict what kinds of batteries are available for purchase. Others aim to improve outreach and education about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries and the proper use of e-mobility devices, which delivery workers in particular rely upon to do their jobs.
“We’re just trying to figure out how we can be successful in supporting the Deliveristas, at the same time being safe,” said Councilmember Gale Brewer (D-Manhattan), who sponsored or co-sponsored most of the bills.
Lithium-ion batteries are found in laptops, cell phones, toys and other ordinary items. But when the batteries are damaged or improperly maintained, they can burst
into flame. So far, batteries sparked 24 fires so far this year and 219 last year in the five boroughs — causing the city to run out of room to store the hazardous material recovered after fires, as THE CITY previously reported.
“This first set of proposals are in the right direction, but it’s lacking a comprehensive plan for how we transition to this new era of safe batteries for micro-mobility,” said Ligia Guallpa, executive director of the Workers Justice Project, which helped establish Los Deliveristas Unidos, the organization of city delivery workers.
Guallpa emphasized the need for more charging stations and delivery hubs, outreach to the workers about the new regulations, and programs to allow workers to access safe batteries at no cost, as well as possible subsidies for e-bikes and a disposal plan for old and unsafe batteries.
“We’re building up a future of safe batteries that are
regulations may present some hardships for delivery workers, including increased costs for the batteries certified to safety standards.
more viable and accessible for everybody, but particularly those who rely on them to make a living,” Guallpa said.
The Council passed all but one of the bills in today’s package unanimously.
One bill, sponsored by Councilmember Oswald Feliz (D-The Bronx), limits the sale or rental of e-bikes and e-scooters, as well as the lithium-ion batteries that power them, to those certified by a nationally recognized fire safety organization. Violators — both the users and sellers — would be subject to fines up to $1,000. The bill would take effect six months after it becomes law.
Councilmember Alexa Avilés (D-Brooklyn) was the sole dissenting vote on that bill. Councilmember Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn) abstained.
“A ban devoid of a comprehensive response is simply driving — will drive — these very dangerous batteries underground,” Avilés said, citing the lack of plans for charging locations and safe battery disposal, as well as the unknown impact on “immigrant-owned businesses” that sell the illicit materials.
A second bill sponsored by Brewer prohibits the sale of “second-use” batteries that have been reassembled with cells from used batteries.
Brewer admitted that the new
Another bill sponsored by Brewer requires FDNY to create a public information campaign, and an additional measure sponsored by Avilés mandates the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection to provide guidance on best practices around storing, maintaining and charging batteries, with restaurants that employ delivery workers and third-party delivery services (like GrubHub) on the hook for distributing the material.
Under a final bill, FDNY needs to report five times a year on battery-related fires and actions taken to decrease the risks, starting next year. This measure will “help the FDNY to stay ahead of the curve and be better prepared to respond to any incidents involving lithium-ion batteries,” bill sponsor Councilmember Robert Holden (D-Queens) said in a statement.
Mayor Eric Adams would need to sign the bills into law. His spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
The Council’s vote came on the heels of the FDNY’s call last month for federal regulation of lithium-ion batteries.
The Council’s work on the issue isn’t done yet, with more lawmaking expected.
“This is very complex stuff but we are going to get on all the issues, including the battery swap program, including safe disposal, and all other issues that are raised,” Feliz said.
Council Majority Leader Keith Powers (D-Manhattan)
on Thursday introduced new legislation that would create a buy-back program for used lithium-ion batteries so delivery workers could get new, safety-certified ones at low or no cost.
He also proposed legislation that would require businesses — delivery apps or restaurants — to provide delivery workers with fire-proof containers to store the batteries during charging.
“I think they are a good complement to the packages that we are voting on today,” Powers said.
Nikhil Gupta, a professor at NYU-Tandon School of Engineering, said the measures were a good start and that containment was the “most important” aspect — but that it should be expanded.
“It [the container] should not just be for charging, but for use on the bike itself to prevent injury if something happens,” he said.
For their part, the delivery workers will continue pushing for more resources so they can be part of the safety push.
“Our priority is to ensure that they deliver the infrastructure needed to allow people like us to do this work to earn a living,” William Medina, a delivery worker, told THE CITY in Spanish. “We want to do this, to make it safer … Deliveristas are used to and prepared to transition to this new area. It’s making sure that we do it together.”
THE CITY is an independent, nonprofit news outlet dedicated to hard-hitting reporting that serves the people of New York.
By Dan Gesslein
The feds have charged a Romanian national living in Spain with defrauding online car buyers out of millions of dollars. Prosecutors said the crew ran an elaborate scheme to defraud people looking to buy cars online out of their savings.
The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District announced the extradition of Ion Viorel Ionitoiu who was living in Spain. Prosecutors charged Ionitoiu with money laundering and bank fraud.
“Ionitoiu is the seventh member of an operation that laundered fraud proceeds for online swindlers who preyed on U.S. consumers who has been charged, and he will now face justice for his actions,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. “This Office is committed to rooting out both those who commit the underlying fraud and their enablers, regardless of where they reside.”
Williams said Ionitoiu was part of a scam ring that defrauded people looking to buy cars online. Ionitoiu is charged with acting as an intermediary between the scammers and a money laundering ring that operated out of Brooklyn.
Prosecutors claim that the suspects created fake websites with domain names that sounded like legitimate websites. The members allegedly pretended to be from car dealerships looking to sell vehicles online. However, the suspects did not work for car dealerships
and did not have the any cars to sell. But they took buyers’ money none the less. They also advertised vehicles they had no intention of selling as part of the scam through online market places like Craigslist and eBay.
Once a buyer showed interest in a vehicle, a member of the crew would “negotiate” a price for the non-existent car. Once the buyer agreed on the price they wired funds to bank accounts they thought were owned by the dealership to purchase the car. Prosecutors said the victims were actually wiring their funds to accounts controlled by the Brooklyn money laundering crew.
According to the federal indictment, no buyers received the vehicles they thought they purchased. In total prosecutors claim buyers were defrauded out at least $5 million.
Ionitoiu was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1,000,000, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction.
Lithuanians Karol Kamiński, 33, Stanislav Tunkevic, 48, and Arturas Gilys, 41, all pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
Lithuanian Svetlana Vaidotiene, 55, was sentenced to 10 months. She was also ordered to pay $271,000 in restitution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
By Mayor Eric Adams Community Op-Ed
I started my career as a transit police officer, so I know first hand that subway safety is public safety. Our transit system is the key to getting to work, to school, visiting family and friends, and experiencing all that New York City has to offer. It makes life in our city possible. And everyone who uses this essential resource — regardless of their ethnicity, age, or gender — has the right to feel safe doing it.
One year ago, Governor Kathy Hochul and I announced a Subway Safety plan, where we promised to devote more resources to helping those experiencing homelessness and facing mental health crisis get the shelter and the care they need. We announced our plan to disburse more homeless outreach teams in our subways and train NYPD officers to enforce the system’s rules of conduct in a fair and transparent way, addressing the fare evasion and disorder that contributes to an unsafe environment. And we committed to improving collaboration between the state and city to effectively address safety concerns. And this past fall, Governor Hochul and I took
another bold step, announcing a historic surge of police officers to patrol subway platforms and trains. We added roughly 1,200 additional overtime officer shifts each day on the subway, dramatically increasing the police presence across the system. We now have more police officers available to assist riders. Overall station inspections are up 43% in 2023 so far, compared to the same period in 2022. And we have stopped the cruel practice of just walking by people in need.
Since announcing the first phase of our plan last February, we have removed the homeless encampments from our system and successfully connected more than 4,000 people facing
homelessness with shelter and the assistance they deserve.
During the pandemic, subway ridership declined, and crime grew. Many riders, particularly women and people of color, sought alternative options, like the nanny who decided to bike to work in Brooklyn because of concerns about anti-Asian hate or the bartender who opted to split a cab with her co-workers because she didn’t feel safe on the system late at night.
It’s clear that our approach to making a safer subway system for these riders is working. As a re-
sult of our efforts, major crime in transit stations is down 18% since the beginning of 2023 through February 26th, compared with the same period in 2022. We are seeing the most riders on the system since the pandemic, and they are reporting an increased sense of security. In December, subway ridership topped 3.9 million people in one day, the highest number since the pre-pandemic period. Over 1 billion riders used the system last year. And with more people on the train looking out for each other, our system is feeling safer every day.
I take the subway and I
talk to riders, transit officers, and MTA employees. They tell me that the feeling of normalcy is returning, and they encourage me to push forward. I hear them: we must continue to remain vigilant and keep building a safer system for all.
The New York City subway is the symbol of the greatest city on earth. It creates economic opportunities and access, improves traffic congestion, and makes the air better for everyone. Together, we will keep it safe and ensure that New York City remains the safest big city in the nation.
By Dr. Shani R. Scott, General Internist, Montefiore Health System
As a primary care doctor, I’ve been caring for the Bronx community for seven years, helping those who seek my guidance after losing track of their health. When I sit with patients, many who are Black women, and ask them to describe their vision of wellness in 10 years, they often draw a blank stare. In today’s busy world it’s critical to maximize your medical appointment. Together we will walk through three steps to gain clarity and reveal your health vision.
Without further ado, let's dive in.
As a Black woman, I know all too well how the elders in our family like to keep their health problems a secret – often out of fear of over-
burdening the people they love. However, it is critical to start open communication regarding health issues. Discussing the prevalence of breast, colon, lung, and cervical cancers can help create awareness about their symptoms and health implications. Sharing this information with your primary care doctor
can influence when to start screening tests. Learning about your family’s history regarding heart disease and diabetes can help you take proactive steps, that may safeguard against developing these conditions in the future.
My patients are often parents to a few young children and in charge of taking care of chronically ill older family. Beyond caregiving, their income might be significant for the family, leading them to struggle with receiving consistent healthcare themselves. Other common barriers to healthcare for women, and many in the Bronx, include lack of health insurance, affordable
childcare, accessible facilities, and transportation.
Identifying your barrier, for example, a busy weekday schedule, can be the first step. Next you can look for
a provider that offers weekend office visits or telemedicine appointments. Your medical team can also help enroll you in programs that assist with child
care, transportation, or reduce the cost of medication via prescription programs.
Perceived stress from chronic experiences of discrimination is a significant predictor of poor health outcomes. Daily stress affects conditions such as high blood pressure, mental health, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and hair and skin complexion. Understanding how these stressors impact your life, means you and your doctor can formulate a plan that best suits your needs. Together you and your provider can create easily achievable fitness goals, and identify foods that promote gut health, helping you to stay energized. Plans should leave you
feeling empowered, rather than stressed by unreasonable and unachievable requirements.
Talk to a Healthcare Provider with Interest in Black Women’s Health
As a medical doctor interested in Black women’s healthcare, I encourage you to learn more about how to access a primary care doctor at MyHealthFinder, a tool to fi nd preventative services. Also, join the
broader community in discussing the health of Black women at Health in Her Hue or the Black Women’s Health Imperative. Dr. Shani R. Scott is a General Internist who provides primary care services in
the Bronx. The scope of her academic and medical practice is health equity implementation, training on provider-patient communication, and the diversifi cation of the physician workforce.
Dozens of members of the Universal Television show “F.B.I.” spent the day in and around Botanical Square filming an episode from the show's 5th season.
Film crews arrived with a dozen or more large trucks early on February 16 and stayed until rain apparently ended their plans in the late afternoon.
According to a flyer left around the community, plans were to film until 10 p.m. None of the show's stars were observed as most of the filming was conducted inside a public garage along Webster Avenue.
The leprechauns are coming! St. Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17th, will be celebrated with all its local color.
Throughout the Bronx & Westchester, neighborhoods and villages are hanging shamrocks on storefronts and homes giving the region its sparkling moment in the Emerald Isle. St. Patrick’s Day parades are back. In the Bronx, Throgg’s Neck 25th Annual Parade, Sunday, March 12th, kicks off at noon on E. Tremont & Lafayette Ave. Westchester/Putnam, parades are planned in Eastchester, March 12th; White Plains, March 11th; Yonkers, March 18th; Northern Westchester/ Putnam, March 12th; Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow, March 12th; and Sound Shore, March 19th. If you want to partake in the traditional foods, spirits and reveling sprinkled with a good dose of blarney, here are suggestions. Be sure to check ahead for special hours and events. Larger groups are advised to make advanced reservations. Erin Go Bragh!
Jack’s Bar & Restaurant, 219 Main St., Eastchester.
914-652-7650
Owner Shane Clifford and his friendly crew have all the TVs and finger foods you want. Generous specialties coming out of Chef Brendan Donohoe’s kitchen include traditional Corned Beef & Cabbage; Shepherd’s Pie; decadent Short Rib Mac N’ Cheese; Jack’s Meatballs; Chicken Curry; Pizza out of
their woodfired oven; Berkshire Pork Chop; and Grilled Lamb Sliders. www.jackseastchester. com
The Wicked Wolf, 4029 E. Tremont Ave., Bronx. 718-829-4400
An upscale Irish tavern with an eclectic menu that covers a lot of ground. Try the Corned Beef Sandwich with melted cheese. The Shepherd’s Pie might be a good option, as is the Corned Beef & Cabbage. An Irish brew to wash it all down. The staff will be hosting St. Paddy’s Day with all the accoutrements all weekend. www. wickedwolfbronx.com
Brewski’s Bar & Grill, 3718 E. Tremont Ave., Bronx. 718-684-2900
Kicking off the festivities with a post Throgg’s Neck parade party on Sunday, March 12th starting at 2 p.m. Irish specialties will be served: Nelly O’s Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers & Mashed, Irish Beef Stew. www. brewskistogo.com
Rory Dolan’s, 890 McLean Ave., Yonkers. 914-776-2946
To many in the greater Westchester Irish community this is the motherload. There will be feasting galore all day and evening. Try to get there off peak, if possible. There is a parking lot. www.rorydolans.com
Morris Park Inn, 1024 Morris Park Ave., Bronx. 718-239-4109
They are all spruced up for the celebration, and there’s a new reasonably priced chef driven tavern menu along with
traditional Irish specialties and brews. www.morrisparkinn. com
Rambling House, 4292 Katonah Ave., Woodlawn, Bronx. 718-798-4510
A sprawling good time with traditional Irish specialties all week long. www.ramblinghousenyc.com
An Beal Bocht Café. 445 W. 238th St., Greystone Ave., Bronx. 718-884-7127
Home of the shortest, quickest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Irish specialties and entertainment all month. www.anbealbochtcafe.com
Dunne’s Pub, 12 Shapham Place, White Plains.
914-421-1451
Owner Declan Farrell took over this spot, added a few touches of his own, and it still thrives. An authentic Irish pub with good hearty food and live entertainment. www.dunnespub.com
McShane’s Public House, 123 N. Main St., Port Chester. Partners Edmund Cleary and Vincent Furey brought a taste of the Emerald Isle to Port Chester and the crowds have been following. Special mention: Colcannon Croquettes, Bangers & Mashed, Corned Beef Reuben and Lamb Sliders are popular. 914-937-7800 www.mcshanesportchester.com
Tuck’d Away, 90 Yonkers Ave., Tuckahoe. 914-222-9162
Michael Cuozzo operates a friendly tavern that offers delightful comfort foods and reasonably priced Happy Hours.
The Wings fly as do the traditional Irish dishes on St. Paddy’s Day. www.tuckedaway90. com
IRISH SPECIALTIES WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT IT!
Trattoria Vivolo, 301 Halstead Ave., Harrison. 914-835-6199
It is a solid Italian restaurant housed in a vintage diner but come St. Patrick’s Day Chef/ Owner Dean Vivolo’s Mom, who is Irish, adds her personal touch to the menu. www.trattoriavivolo.com
Mamma Francesca, 414 Pelham Road, New Rochelle. 914-636-1229
It’s Italian, for sure, but owner Nick DiCostanzo will be serving up big portions of Corned Beef & Cabbage with views of L.I. Sound. He’s fond of the dish himself. In addition, the regional Italian menu is on hand. New Pizza & Vino Bar. www. mammafrancesca.com
Wolf & Warrior Brewing Co., 195A E. Post Road, White Plains. 914-368-8617
Brewmeister Michael Chil-
tern brings White Plains its first microbrewery and it’s a good one. The daily brews are listed on a big colorful blackboard. A comforting kitchen menu, too. Chiltern promises an authentic Irish home brew and specialties to mark the occasion. www. wolfandwarrior.com
If you are planning to cook up some Gaelic favorites at home, check out these specialty food markets for authentic Irish ingredients: Butcher’s Fancy, Yonkers, www.butchersfancy. com ; Prime Cut Irish Butchers (Riverdale) 4338 Katonah Ave., Bronx 718-324-9262; and Food Ireland, Mount Vernon outlet, www.foodireland.com
(Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in the Bronx & Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-2356591. E-mail: gutreactions@ optonline.net)
