Cops Nab “Career Burglar” on East 89th Street
An alleged career criminal was arrested on the UES shortly before New Year’s Day. He was remanded into custody due to previous parole violations.
| 09 Jan 2025 | 07:27
Officers from the NYPD’s 19th Precinct Public Safety Team who arrested a career burglar on E. 89th St. (Source: NYPD 19th Precinct X post) (
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A serial burglar on parole for burglary was arrested after being caught stealing packages from a residential building on East 89th Street, according to the NYPD.
Juan Rios, 47, was apprehended on December 29, 2024, just before 1 a.m., by officers from the 19th Precinct’s overnight Public Safety team. Police said Rios was found removing packages from the building at 352 East 89th Street and was arrested at the scene.
“A career burglar, on parole for burglary, and wanted for numerous burglaries caught red handed burglarizing an apartment building on East 89th St,” the NYPD 19th Precinct wrote on X, “When our overnight Public Safety Cops spotted the well known suspect in the act, they moved in fast to arrest him, AGAIN!”
The arrest comes as part of an ongoing investigation into a series of burglaries in the 19th Pct according to the NYPD.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office confirmed that Rios was previously indicted on Nov. 28, 2024, on five counts of third-degree burglary and petit larceny. Prosecutors allege Rios repeatedly entered residential buildings to steal packages and other property. Rios entered several buildings without authorization, including locations on E. 77th St. and York Ave. In each case, surveillance footage showed him entering mailrooms or basements, taking packages and other property, and leaving quickly, prosecutors said.
Detectives said they connected Rios to incidents as recently as Dec. 18, where he was seen wearing an Amazon jacket and hat, and Dec. 26, when he stole cases of beverages from a basement. During an interview, cops said Rios identified himself in the surveillance footage from these and other burglaries.
In the most recent arrest on E. 89th St., Officer Irene Prentzas of the 19th Precinct witnessed Rios entering and exiting the residential building, according to the criminal complaint filed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. The officer observed “two packages fall from inside of the defendant’s jacket to the ground.”
Rios now faces an additional count of third-degree burglary and petit larceny. He was remanded without bail due to his alleged parole violations.