The sister of the man who confessed to killing 6-year-old Etan Patz in 1979 says she told authorities in Camden, New Jersey 25 years ago of her brother's confession. "I reported it. Nobody did anything," Norma Hernandez told the Daily News. The leader of the prayer group in which Hernandez allegedly confessed the crime confirmed to the Times that Hernandez said he strangled a boy and placed his body in the trash, but that it was not his place to report the confession. "He did not confess to me," Tomas Rivera said. "He confessed to the group." more ›

To most people Manhattan Mini Storage is the place that runs those memorable (and often celebrity and GOP-skewing) posters around town. But, according to the New York Post, to the city's homeless population there is something else thing the company is known for: being a great place to crash. more ›

Last week marked the first time anyone had been arrested for the 1979 murder of six-year-old Etan Patz, with the authorities charging Pedro Hernandez with second-degree murder. Even though the police say that Hernandez confessed to killing the boy in a Soho bodega, doubts remain. According to the NY Post, even the Manhattan DA's office was reluctant to charge Hernandez and "wanted more proof before charging Hernandez with murder, said several law-enforcement sources." more ›

Pedro Hernandez knows "intimate details" about the disappearance and murder of 6-year-old Etan Patz, and that information is what makes the NYPD confident in their case against Hernandez. According to the Post, the details could include certain scars or birthmarks on Patz, or what the boy was wearing when he disappeared. "Pretty seasoned detectives are confident this is the guy based on information he had," a source says. "And the circle of people who know is very narrow. They’re not even telling other people in the unit.” But another source tells the Daily News that the FBI isn't convinced: “The bosses are very skeptical. They don’t believe him. He’s got mental problems and there’s no other evidence. They think we moved too fast.” more ›

Last night, the NYPD revealed that NJ resident Pedro Hernandez was arrested and charged for the 1979 murder of 6-year-old Etan Patz. Now, it's reported that he has been taken to Bellevue Hospital. A source told the Post, "He has been talking about killing himself." The Daily News reports, "Hernandez, a disabled former construction worker, was in need of medication, the sources said," while the NY Times says he was placed on suicide watch. more ›

On the eve of the 33rd anniversary of Etan Patz's disappearance, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly announced that 51-year-old NJ resident Pedro Hernandez was arrested in the murder of the six-year-old boy. Kelly said that Hernandez told relatives, "I did a bad thing. I killed a kid in New York." more ›

NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly issued a statement just after 6:30 a.m. this morning, "An individual now in custody has made statements to NYPD detectives implicating himself in the disappearance and death of Etan Patz 33 years ago. We expect to provide further details later today." According to the Daily News, the suspect, Pedro Hernandez, was picked up yesterday in Camden, NJ. more ›

A construction worker from Ditmas Park fell to his death in SoHo yesterday. Adrien Zamora, 28, was three stories up working on the facade of a low-rise luxury building at 450 Broome Street when he slipped from the scaffolding. His death comes four months after one of the contractors at the site was cited for "failure to safeguard all person and property." According to the DOB report, a worker dropped a wrench from the eighth floor scaffolding and hit a pedestrian. (That violation was dismissed last month.) more ›

After four days of forensic of searching and digging in a SoHo basement, the search for evidence in the Etan Patz investigation appears to be winding down. No human remains have been found, but investigators tell NBC New York they did collect some hair samples, a piece of paper, and part of a wall with a mysterious stain on it. That so-called "stain of interest" was sent to an FBI lab in Quanitico, VA to determine if it's blood. An official tells the Wall Street Journal a second stain on a piece of concrete was discovered, but is not believed to be human blood. more ›

Yesterday, the FBI and NYPD were seen removing pieces of concrete from the basement of 127 Prince Street in SoHo, as they continue their investigation into the 1979 disappearance of six-year-old Etan Patz. The search was apparently spurred by comments from handyman Othniel Miller, now 75-years-old; he has hired a criminal defense lawyer who emphasized Miller was not involved: "Mr. Miller has been cooperating with this investigation for over 30 years. He has continued to cooperate on multiple occasions. And I am going to assist him in cooperating to the fullest extent possible." more ›

The FBI and NYPD are continuing their excavation of the basement at 127 Prince Street in SoHo, to continue their investigation related to the 1979 disappearance of six-year-old Etan Patz. A police cadaver dog did pick up the "scent of human remains deep in the walls of the building," according to 1010 WINS. NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said, We’re looking for any evidence of human remains, clothing or any personal effects... This location figured in the original investigation. The decision was made to come back, apply probably the best forensic expertise in the country between the FBI and NYPD." And now the focus of the investigation appears to be on a handyman who worked for Etan's family. more ›

What does a superstar basketball player do after leading his team to a commanding victory over possible playoff rivals? Why, if you're Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade, you get dressed up in your finest suit to go sock shopping, and end up playing a game of pick-up basketball with some unsuspecting children! Check out the TMZ video below. more ›

After learning that the BP gas station on Houston Street had the potential to turn into a pricey condo development, we had what we believed would be our last gas fight, and mourned the loss of another neighborhood petrol purveyor. Turns out we should raise a glass of super unleaded to the Landmark's Preservation Commission: the gas station is part of a historic district! more ›

The saga of the adorable bunny stolen from a Soho boutique, but then returned (much to the delight of the bunny's owner as well as veteran journalist Carl Bernstein), continues: The couple accused of snatching Jack the rabbit was in court yesterday, and lawyer said of Thomas Smith, 62, "He did it because he loved the bunny. He wanted to take care of something. He couldn't afford to buy a pet." more ›

Reports of the death of the cupcake craze have been greatly exaggerated. Tomorrow New York City gets yet another cupcakery and this one, like Sex and the City-certified Magnolia, comes with some television cachet. But hey, if you show up at the new Georgetown Cupcake in SoHo tomorrow between noon and 9 p.m. you can get yourself a free cupcake just for getting on line (cheaper than spending $2.75). more ›

Police are seeking a man who they believe is responsible for 15 burglaries in Soho since September: "Police say he typically enters through the window, either climbing down from the rooftop or using the fire escape." And sometimes apartment dwellers make it easy for him by having unlocked windows. more ›

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has been concerned about cars blocking the box around town for years now, but with a mayoral election in the pipeline he's pulling the old issue out again for another spin. Today the Beep held a press conference to goad the Department of Transportation into doing something about the permanent gridlock that envelopes SoHo—especially Broome Street—come rush hour every day. "For residents of the SoHo and Hudson Square communities, horn honking has become the lullaby of lower Broadway," Stringer quipped. See what he did there? more ›

It's been a bit of a bumpy road for the Occupy Wall Street movement recently. The removal of barricades around Zuccotti Park was a win, but the group has been burning through their funds, Yoko Ono might be co-opting them, and they may soon be kicked out of the West-Park Presbyterian Church where many occupiers have been staying. On top of all that, Village Voice reports that DJ Spooky and club Work in Progress totally screwed over what's left of the OWS Library last night: "I found them fucking ungrateful. I did them a favor, and it wasn't the favor they wanted, so they threw a little fit. A bunch of them tried to get in, and they probably hadn't showered in days. All of a sudden I'm supposed to change my rules for them? It's a night club!" said WiP's creative director, Stuart Braunstein. more ›

A spokesman for the city's Office of Emergency Management was suspended without pay after an incident in Soho on Wednesday night. The Post reports that Seth Andrews crashed his city-owned car and then threatened a female police officer who was arresting him, "I’m going to choke you, just watch out. You’re done. I can’t wait to get you on Staten Island. You just watch your gun." more ›