Don’t mess with the Throgs Neck Little League.
A Randall Avenue resident learned that the hard way.
Jordan Almodovar, of 2798 Randall Avenue, will be serving a year in jail for his attempted break-in at the Throgs Neck Little League headquarters on Throgs Neck Boulevard on September 8.
According to a spokesman with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, the 19-year-old Almodovar pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree Criminal Mischief charge at a hearing on September 23 at the Bronx County Courthouse.
The class A misdemeanor charge carries with it a minimum sentence of three years probation and a maximum sentence of a year in jail.
Almodovar got the maximum.
Although a formal sentencing hearing will be held on October 15, Almodovar was remanded to Rikers Island immediately after pleading guilty, officials said.
“Hopefully this will be a deterrent to other potential thieves and knuckleheads in the neighborhood,” Frank Eisele, treasurer of the little league said.
According to the complaint report, a police officer from the 45th Precinct was patrolling the area when he came across the teen next to the front door of the little league’s main office. The two-story building, which is fenced-off, contains equipment, announcer booths, concessions and a bathroom.
The report said that Almodovar had a screwdriver in his hand and the front door lock’s plate, which holds the bolt, had been pried off.
When questioned, Almodovar said he had left clothes inside the building four days before and was trying to break the door to get back his clothing. Almodovar admitted using the screwdriver to damage the lock.
In late September, Eisele testified that the teen was not a member of the league, and had never been a volunteer.
Forty Fifth Precinct Community Council vice president Bob Bieder said he was glad that Eisele followed through with the D.A. to press charges and testify about the break-in.
“We’re thrilled he went through with this and got justice as a result,” he said. “I don’t think the sentence is unreasonable. All too often judges let them off easy, so there’s no deterring factor. For example, graffiti keeps occurring because they’re not throwing people in jail. It may not seem like a serious crime but it is. Without consequences, these crimes won’t stop.”
While several cameras have been installed at the little league field to deter future trouble, Eisele said he hopes that seeing prison time as a sentence for a random break-in may stop vandals that have been attacking the Throggs Neck Girls Softball League for years.
Most recently, vandals burned patches into the outfield of Bicentennial Veterans Memorial Park, and destroyed several portable bathrooms.
So far nobody has been charged in those crimes.
