Dennis Logu is alleged to have committed crimes at 77th street and Columbus Avenue, among other blocks.
By Jessica Brockington
A cat sitter employed by Gotham Pups has admitted to a string of 10 home burglaries and attempts at illegal entry since February 27th, according to authorities. Apartments on the north side of 77th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam were his primary targets with at least 7 incidences on that block alone, police said.
Court documents outlined the alleged crime spree:
Dennis Logu, a 24-year-old from the Bronx, held a cat sitting client’s jewelry in his hand when he got a phone call from Gotham Pups on February 27th. The client was watching him on camera and as he entered her bedroom and started removing jewelry, she called Gotham Pups. And they called Logu.
By the time Logu was arrested on March 30th, 20th Precinct Detective Chris French had gathered photos snapped by neighbors, video surveillance tapes from surrounding buildings, and victim complaints.
Logu admits to all of the current charges against him, according to court documents.
February 27th – 7:20 pm – 77th/Columbus – Logu was seen on camera stealing jewelry from a cat sitting client’s home, police said.
March 14th – 5:00 pm – 77th/Columbus – Logu’s victim came home to find his laptop was missing. Logu claimed this is one of the only laptops he has stolen, authorities said.
March 22nd – 12:00 pm – 77th/Amsterdam – The victim reported returning home to find electronics, jewelry, and a jar of change had been taken. Building security video tapes show Logu walking out with a jar of change.
March 23rd – 12:30 pm – 87th/CPW – A watch was stolen from this location. Logu was wearing it when he was arrested.
March 24th – 11:00 am – 76th Street/CPW – A victim’s home security camera shows Logu entering the victim’s home and stealing a laptop. Logu admitted he is the person in the video stills, police say.
March 27th – 12:30 pm – 77th/Columbus – Logu illegally entered the apartment and stole property and checks, police said. These checks were on him when he was arrested.
March 27th – 5:00 pm – 77th/Columbus – Logu opened a woman’s bedroom window. She was there and said “Hello.” Logu said “Oh sorry!” and fled, according to police.
March 30th – 2:10 pm – 88th/CPW – A neighbor snapped photos of Logu hopping fences along a back alley and turning doorknobs, according to police. Logu admitted to the police he intended to burglarize the homes.
March 30th – 3:00 pm – Calls came from West 77th/Columbus that a man with a black ski mask was attempting to enter a dwelling from the fire escape. Logu was arrested trying to get in a window in the building next door and had a ski mask on him. He also had the stolen checks, watch, and burglars’ tools, police said.
Logu’s next court date is May 11th. Bail has been set at $45,000. Logu’s attorney was not immediately available for comment.
He should have stuck with cat sitting as the evidence against him is quite overwhelming. I am amazed that people commit crimes when they should know they may be caught by camera.
Watch who you let in your home. These services hire anyone. Most don’t know what they are doing, even worse they rob you!
These are the risks pet owners take when the service businesses they employ don’t do background checks or insist on the employee being bonded. Pet services in Manhattan are so hit or miss in their professionalism (total lack thereof) that the pet owner would be better off asking a neighbor to perform the needed chores. Anyone can start a pet service, charge high prices and put the client at risk for major theft – or worse. These pet services should be licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs. Gotham Pups is one service I’d never use now.
We have used Gotham Pups for over 10 years to walk our dogs. We also board our dogs with them when needed. We have always found them to be great with our animals, and we’ve always been very satisfied with all the walkers we’ve had over the years. We find that the owner takes great care in selecting and training the people who work for him, and he always makes us aware of who they are and when changes are in the offing.
We knew the walker who committed the crimes discussed in this story. The owner made us aware that there was a problem with him while he was cooperating with the police to get him arrested. It’s a worst case scenario for this business. I can assure you that they do carefully vet their new charges, but bad eggs get through from time to time. It can happen in any business.
I wonder if he had a record prior to being hired to enter people’s homes.
This is categorically outrageous!
Thanks for the Dogged work of the NYPD.