Crime Brooklyn Heights

Vespa thief arrested in Brooklyn Heights

Teamwork by cops from 76th and 84th Precincts saves motor scooter

September 22, 2023 Mary Frost
Two off-duty detectives from the 76th Precinct apprehended Prospect Park South resident Inoss Hogu allegedly stealing a Vespa motor scooter on Court Street in Brooklyn Heights Wednesday night. Shown: One detective pins Hogu down while the other calls 911. Eagle photo by Mary Frost
Share this:

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Cops made a dramatic arrest on Court Street in Brooklyn Heights Wednesday night when two off-duty detectives, heading home, observed a man allegedly stealing a Vespa motor scooter. 

The two detectives from the 76th Precinct were carpooling on their way home at roughly 7:30 p.m. when they noticed Inoss Hogu, 51, making off with a dark blue Vespa on Court Street, north of Atlantic Avenue in the 84th Precinct.

The detectives called 911, and on Court Street between Schermerhorn and State streets they made their move, grabbing Hogu and identifying themselves loudly as police. As passersby scattered, Hogu struggled and ran, but the detectives grabbed him and brought him to the ground in front of 113 Court St.

Subscribe to our newsletters

Cops from the 84th Precinct arrive on the scene and arrest the alleged Vespa thief. Eagle photo by Mary Frost

The detectives held him until police from the 84th Precinct’s Public Safety Team, which had been stationed nearby in response to the community’s call for more officers in the area, swooped in barely a minute later and made the arrest. 

Hogu, who lives on Ocean Avenue in Prospect Park South, was charged with grand larceny of a motor vehicle, along with resisting arrest, obstruction of government administration, criminal mischief, possession of stolen property and other charges — and the stolen Vespa was recovered, an NYPD spokesperson told the Brooklyn Eagle.

Hogu previously received a summons on Sept. 3 in the 70th Precinct for consuming alcohol in public, according to court records.

Inoss Hogu was charged with grand larceny of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and a number of other charges following his arrest for allegedly stealing a Vespa on Court Street Wednesday night. Eagle photo by Mary Frost
Cops recovered the stolen Vespa. Eagle photo by Mary Frost

Leave a Comment

Related Articles

Leave a Comment