Awards, promotions at 62nd Precinct
Besides the usual Cop of the Month Award, Deputy Inspector James Rooney handed out a special Community Service award to Police Officer Piero Lasaponara at the 62nd Precinct Community Council meeting held on Tuesday, February 19 at the Muslim Youth Center.
Lasaponara is assigned to the Brooklyn South Anti-Crime Unit but lives within the confines of the 62nd Precinct. On Wednesday, February 13 at 2:05 p.m., he was off-duty and sitting in his car when he noticed a suspicious male casing a 90-year-old female inside the Rite Aid parking lot on 86th Street near 25th Avenue.
As she was unloading her purchases, the man pushed her to the ground. Quick-thinking Lasaponara first called 9-1-1 then pursued the perp. He was able to catch him in front of 8612 25th Avenue. Lasaponara, who was unarmed, identified himself as an officer. The man then turned around to face him and put one hand into his jacket pocket.