'Ninja Bandit' blamed for 19th burglary

STATEN ISLAND In the latest incident, a family on Melhorn Road in the Castleton Corners neighborhood reported that the thief stole more than $100,000 worth of jewelry.

"The M.O. fits the pattern" of the 18 earlier Ninja heists, 'Ninja Bandit' blamed for 19th burglary Staten Island's costumed crook known as the Ninja Bandit has apparently struck for the 19th time.said Officer Martin Speechley, a police spokesman.

The burglary took place between Wednesday and Friday of last week, Speechley said. A sliding glass door was left open, indicating that the thief exited through it and may have entered through it, he said.

The victim, Dr. Shahabuddin Ahmad, told the Staten Island Advance that the home has an alarm system but it did not go off.

"I feel afraid, insecure, violated and depressed ... very depressed," Ahmad said.

A woman who answered the phone at the residence on Sunday declined to talk.

Speechley said the Ahmad family reported that rings, chains, earriings and bangles were stolen.

The Ninja Bandit got his nickname after an earlier victim said the intruder wielded a set of nunchucks when they scuffled in the homeowner's kitchen in September. Other residents have also said they encountered the burglar, but the suspect has managed to escape each time.

Up until last week, the most recent attack was Nov. 24 or 25, when the Ninja Bandit hit a house on Ocean Terrace and another on Louise Lane, netting $127,000 in jewelry and cash.

The Ninja's burglary spree has prompted Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly to urge Staten Islanders to lock their doors and windows and to activate their alarm systems.

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