Ninja Burglar Strikes Again!

Staten Island's Ninja Burglar struck again late last week, slipping furtively and unseen into a doctor's home on Melbourn Rd. in the Castleton Corners section of the borough. No one was home at the time and he scored big in his 19th break-in since May of last year, making off with $20,000 in jewelry. The theft comes just a little over a month after the man in black struck twice in quick succession in late November.

No one actually saw the Ninja Burglar, but police said the most recent robbery fit the pattern of his crimes, with the thief stealing in through a rear sliding door. The homeowner, Dr. Shahabuddin Ahmad, said he had no idea that he'd been robbed or even if he was home at the time, until his daughter and wife returned home from a trip and discovered the daughter's room tossed. That's how good the Ninja Burglar is.

One departure from his usual modus operandi was moving further west to the Castleton Corners section of Staten Island. Until now, he's restricted himself to Grymes Hill, Todt Hill, Emerson Hill, Dongan Hills and Grasmere. Perhaps a clever maneuver to avoid the police dragnets that have proved unsuccessful in stopping the serial burglar. Not even one homeowner stabbing the Ninja Burglar in the shoulder with a knife has slowed his string of successes.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has urged residents to keep windows and doors locked and security systems activated. Dr. Ahmad's home has a security system, but he says it wasn't triggered at any time when the break-in must have occurred.

Ninja on left from Shawnimals