An eagle-eyed rookie cop apprehended a serial thief known for targeting lockers in New York City gyms, only to have the suspect released by a Manhattan judge who has previously set free other violent offenders, as per The Post.
Kendra Christie, 27, from Brooklyn, was arrested on Friday for a series of six incidents between May and July, where she allegedly stole valuables from gym-goers’ lockers across Manhattan.
Christie was stopped in Times Square around 9 p.m. on Friday by the observant rookie cop amidst a bustling crowd. She was found in possession of multiple credit cards and a stolen Costco card at the time of her arrest.
Charged with six counts each of grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, Christie appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court the following day. Prosecutors requested a substantial bail amount due to her criminal record and history of failing to appear in court.
Despite the prosecution’s request, Judge Marva Brown, who had previously released other accused criminals, including Amira Hunter, ruled to release Christie once more.
Law enforcement expressed disappointment in the judicial system’s handling of such crimes, emphasizing the impact on hard-working New Yorkers.
Christie, a non-member of the gyms, was known to gain unauthorized access to the facilities and break into lockers using a metal tool.
All victims in Christie’s recent spree were women in their 20s and 30s, with incidents reported at various gyms in Harlem, the Upper West Side, Chelsea, and the Financial District.
Items stolen included bags, wallets, credit cards, jewelry, a cellphone, clothing, and sunglasses, leading to unauthorized transactions on the stolen cards.
Christie faced multiple open cases in Manhattan, related to theft from gym lockers and credit card misuse, with repeated instances of release and missed court appearances.
Judge Brown’s decision to grant supervised release to other accused individuals, including Bryant Kenyatta, further raised concerns about the handling of criminal cases in New York.
The New York State Office of Court Administration refrained from commenting on specific release decisions, citing judicial discretion and legal considerations in assessing a defendant’s risk profile.
