STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Local law-enforcement officials are urging Staten Island residents to remain vigilant and take precautions amid a string of break-in attempts across the borough.
“We want our citizens — as they always have — to help us, because vigilant neighbors, people who are careful, can help us reduce the number of crimes and catch those who are committing them,” District Attorney Michael E. McMahon said during a press conference outside the 121st Precinct stationhouse in Graniteville Thursday afternoon.
At the event, McMahon stood alongside Borough President Vito Fossella and Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, the NYPD borough commander, to alert residents to a recent crime pattern and to inform residents as to how they can protect themselves.
According to McMahon, there are roughly 10 recent Staten Island crimes that appear to fit a crime pattern believed to be committed by a “small group” the district attorney has dubbed “The Crowbar Crew.” The crime spree matching the pattern observed by law enforcement occurred between Feb. 1 and Feb. 9.
(From left to right) District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, the NYPD borough commander, and Borough President Vito Fossella outside the 121st Precinct in Graniteville after a press conference discussing a crime pattern on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.(Advance/SILive.com | Luke Peteley)
McMahon is asking residents to lock their cars and secure their keys in a safe place, as this crew is believed to be attempting to break into homes to secure keys to high-end luxury vehicles.
“Lock your windows, lock your doors,” he said. “We don’t want people to live in fear, but we want people to be careful.”
The district attorney further urged residents to check their cameras and to report any suspicious activity to their local NYPD precinct.
Eger reinforced McMahon’s points and encouraged residents to lock their entrances and report suspicious activity. She also suggested residents utilize exterior lighting when possible.
“But part of why we’re here today is to remind the people of Staten Island to be vigilant and to take caution,” Fossella said. “There are bad people on the streets. The effort and the goal is to get rid of them so that you can live in peace.”
While officials want residents to take precautions, law enforcement is also taking actions of its own to address this crime pattern.
In response, the NYPD has increased patrols to the affected areas, particularly during overnight hours. Additionally, law enforcement has increased the number of unmarked vehicles used by officers.
Detectives are working in close collaboration on this case and “will not stop until this pattern is closed and the perpetrators are in custody,” Eger said.
Although burglars were able to steal a Range Rover from a Dongan Hills residence in the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 1, the crew was unsuccessful in breaking into two other Todt Hill homes that same morning, according to the NYPD.
The NYPD is seeking the public’s help in identifying three men sought for questioning in connection to the Feb. 1 break-in attempts.
Anyone with information regarding this burglary pattern is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, in Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips.
All calls are strictly confidential.
“Your tip can be the missing piece that helps us shut down this pattern,” Eger said.