BURGLAR’S COMEBACK

William Simonson Previously arrested two years ago for attempting to break into a business in Glendale, a Maspeth man was caught by police early last Friday morning, Aug. 19, for allegedly trying to burglarize a neighborhood hair salon, police said.

The suspect was identified by law enforcement sources as 26-year-old William Simonson of 69th Street.

Authorities said that Simonson had a prior arrest record, including a collar in February 2008 for allegedly attempting to break into a Glendale laundromat; that story was featured in a previous issue of the Times Newsweekly.

Regarding last Friday’s burglary attempt, police said the trouble began at around 2:30 a.m. in front of a location on 65th Place near 53rd Avenue.

According to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, Simonson was observed allegedly attempting to pry open the front gate of the Hairitage Unisex hair salon with a crowbar. He was later observed cutting through the salon’s cellar doors.

When an unidentified vehicle drove by the location, it was reported, the suspect apparently got spooked and was spotted walking over to a nearby bus stop.

Police were contacted, and officers from the 104th Precinct responded to the scene. Upon their arrival, authorities said, they spotted Simonson sitting on a bench at the bus stop and went to question him.

As the officers approached him, law enforcement sources stated, the suspect bolted from the location on foot. Seconds later, he was reportedly spotted falling in a common drive- way, dropping a pair of bolt cutters and a crowbar in the process.

Additional police forces, including the NYPD Aviation Unit, were dispatched to the area to assist in the search and pursuit of the suspect.

Simonson was reportedly ob-

-SEE BURGLAR ON PG. 71- served entering a backyard of a home on 53rd Road between 66th and 68th streets, then an adjacent backyard on 52nd Street. He was collared by police a short time later and charged with third-degree attempted burglary, possession of burglar’s tool, criminal mischief and two counts of third-degree criminal trespassing.

Court records noted that Simonson was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court last Saturday, Aug. 20, before Judge Deborah Stevens-Modica, who ordered him held on $10,000 bail.