University Heights: Search for 33-Year-Old Missing Woman

By Síle Moloney

Police confirm a report of a missing 33-year-old woman from a residence on University Avenue, in the University Heights neighborhood of the Bronx, last seen at approximately 1:10 p.m. on Friday, Jun. 5, 2020. The investigation remains active and ongoing. The circumstances into her disappearance remain under investigation as well. She is described as a Black woman, five feet tall, and her hair is in cornrows. She was last seen wearing a gray sweater and orange checkered pants. Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

By Síle Moloney

Police responded to a report of a knife assault on Saturday, May 2 at approximately 11:03 p.m. in University Heights. The male victim’s injuries are not considered to be life-threatening. The incident took place at Andrews Avenue North and West Fordham Road. Police describe the suspect as a man who fled eastbound on West Fordham Road. Anyone with information in regard to this missing person 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 Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, or on

By Síle Moloney

An assailant wearing a mask punched an unsuspecting police officer, while his partner attempted to arrest another man wanted for robbery in University Heights on Tuesday. A separate altercation ensued shortly afterwards between a female member of the public and a police officer at the same location. Some of the fracas has been captured on video and is circulating on social media. The news comes as NYPD’s resources continue to be stretched due to absences tied to the coronavirus, as well as additional obligations relating to social distancing enforcement during the COVID-19 crisis. Police said that at approximately

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

The Bronx shoreline along the Harlem River is poised to undergo a massive change within Community Board 7’s (CB7) borders if developers win approval for their projects. But the city has already said this will be a complicated process. The area just south of the University Heights Bridge was bought for $31.5 million by Dynamic Star, a Connecticut-based developer headed by CEO Gary Segal. Their goal is to invest $3.5 billion in 5 million square feet that will include 2,800 residential units, with 30 percent set aside as affordable. A 700,000 square-foot Life Science Center, esplanades, and a stadium for

Nighttime Shooting Near Devoe Park, Suspect Sought

By DAVID CRUZ

The NYPD is investigating the shooting of a 38-year-man right in front of Devoe Park, sending the victim to the hospital. Police say this happened at around June 9 near the University Heights park around 10 p.m. The victim was shot in the left arm. The shooter quickly fled on foot. Paramedics rushed the victim to St. Barnabas Hospital, and was later released. Police say the shooting suspect was last seen wearing a red hood sweatshirt, black pants, and black shoes. They estimate he’s around 20 to 30 years old, medium complexion, medium build, with brown eyes and black hair.

$7M Drug Takedown Linked to University Heights and Kingsbridge Heights Dealer

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Bronx District Attorney’s Office indicted 16 men and two women–with at least two suspects connected to Kingsbridge Heights and University Heights–on charges of dealing heroin and enough fentanyl to “kill the population of New York” in the South Bronx following a drug seizure on May 28 worth $7 million. The arrests come as portions of the Bronx continue to grapple with a deadly heroin epidemic. Those charged have ties to the world’s most powerful drug organization, the Sinaloa Cartel, formerly headed by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán until his arrest. Fifty pounds (23 kilos) of fentanyl, a semi-automatic rifle, and

Top Cops Hurt, Five Arrested After Wild Chase in Bedford Park

By DAVID GREENE

Two police officers were injured and five suspects were quickly tracked down and arrested after a routine traffic stop turned into a wild chase through the streets of Bedford Park. According to police, the incident began at 4:50 p.m. on May 2, when officers on routine patrol “observed a vehicle travel through a steady red light” at the corner of Briggs Avenue and East 194th Street. When officers attempted to pull the vehicle over, the vehicle sped off. “He continued to drive in a reckless manor, striking multiple vehicles, evading police and disobeying their orders,” said Det. Annette Shelton. The

University Heights Woman, Unintentionally Shot by Police, Sues for $10 Million

By DAVID CRUZ and DAVID GREENE

Irene Ureña Perez, the woman accidentally shot by an officer of the 52nd Precinct as he was chasing down a suspect in University Heights, is suing the NYPD following the Dec. 5 shooting. Perez, 46, spoke inside her University Heights apartment alongside famed personal injury attorney Sanford Rubenstein, who announced the $10 million lawsuit. Perez was walking home with a small child near University Avenue and West 183rd Street when a bullet pierced her abdomen, damaging several organs, according to the criminal complaint. Perez, recuperating at home, told reporters she underwent three surgeries. “My liver has a cut, my pancreas,

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID CRUZ

A man remains in critical condition at St. Barnabas Hospital after being shot last night at 2492 Devoe Terrace in University Heights, according to police. Police from the 52nd Precinct say the victim, who was shot just before midnight on Aug. 16, had a lengthy criminal history. They did not release more details other than he is 29 years old and was shoot in the upper left torso. Police are reportedly looking for two assailants involved in the shooting. The residential neighborhood where the victim was shot is steps from Devoe Park.