He uses Vaaaaaa-seline. Cops think they've got a suspect in a series of robberies in which a prolific perp smeared Vaseline over the peepholes of his victim's neighbor's doors to cover his tracks. Police now suspect that Luis Gonzalez, 40, is the man behind the brazen crimes and are hoping to talk to him. Since September of last year police think he's hit at least 14 homes.
Over those robberies the so-called Vaseline Burglar has stolen everything from engagement rings to iPads. When he has been caught on camera, he's seen carrying a cane while wearing a Yankees cap and dark glasses.
The burglar's MO is apparently to smear the Vaseline on the peepholes before knocking on his victim's door. If nobody answers, he breaks in and grabs what he can moving on to a new target. The robberies so far have occurred in Upper Manhattan in Inwood, Washington Heights and Harlem. The most recent burglary was March 8—here's the full list:
#1 On Sunday, September 4, 2011 between the hours of 2355 and 0030 the next day, the suspect entered an apartment located on Riverside Drive through a window and removed a portable DVD player.
#2 On Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at approx. 1730 hours, the suspect entered an apartment located on Riverside Drive by pushing apartment door open and removed an undetermined amount of jewelry.
#3 On Friday, September 30, 2011 between 0800 and 1830 hours, the suspect entered an apartment located on Riverside Drive by pushing the apartment door open where he removed a laptop and a cellphone.
#4 On Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at approx. 2000 hours, the suspect entered an apartment located on Seaman Ave by pushing the apartment door open and removed a laptop, jewelry and a backpack for laptop.
#5 On Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at approx. 2000 hours, the suspect entered an apartment also located on Seaman Ave by pushing the apartment door open and removed a television, clothing and money.
#6 On Friday, December 30, 2011 at approx. 1530 hours, the suspect entered an apartment located at Fort Washington Ave by breaking locks on apartment door and removed two Apple laptops and one Apple back up hard drive.
#7 On Thursday, February 2, 2012 at approx. 1600 hours, the suspect entered an apartment located on Cooper St by breaking door locks. Nothing was removed from this location.
#8 On Monday, February 13, 2012 at approximately 1630 hours, the suspect made an attempt to enter an apartment located on Riverside Dr by trying to force door open and was unsuccessful.
#9 On Monday, February 13, 2012 between the hours of 0745 and 1820, the suspect entered an apartment located on Riverside Drive by forcing apt. door open and removed jewelry and money.
#10 On Monday, February 13, 2012 between the hours of 1245 and 2100, the suspect entered an apartment located on Thayer St by forcing apt door open and removed jewelry, a laptop and an I-Pod.
#11 On Thursday, March 8, 2012 between the hours of 0700 and 2020, the suspect entered an apartment located on Fairview Ave by forcing apt door open and removed a laptop and clothing.
#12 On Thursday, March 8, 2012 between the hours of 0800 and 1500 the suspect entered an apartment located on Cabrini Boulevard by forcing open the apartment door and removed a carton of Marlboro cigarettes.
#13 On Thursday, March 8, 2012 between the hours of 1000 and 1545 the suspect entered an apartment located on Cabrini Boulevard by forcing open the apartment door and removed an I-Pod and bicentennial coins.
#14 On Thursday, March 8, 2012 at approx. 1400 hours, the suspect attempted to enter an apartment located at W 187th St by forcing front door open but was unsuccessful.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
