A man with an extensive criminal history entered an East Harlem police precinct and soon after exited in a stolen NYPD uniform, according to police reports. The individual, identified as Timothy Adams, also absconded with several items, including six sets of flex cuffs, various documents, and keys.
The incident, which occurred at the 23rd Precinct, is currently under investigation by the NYPD, as confirmed by sources familiar with the case.
Adams, who is currently homeless, didn’t manage to evade capture for long. He was apprehended the following night while sleeping in a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) building. He now faces charges of burglary, petty larceny, and criminal trespass, with bail set at $10,000.
According to the criminal court complaint, surveillance footage captured Adams entering the station house located on East 102nd Street at 5:40 a.m. on a Monday, ignoring signs marked “Authorized Personnel Only.”
Once inside, he reportedly ventured into the office of the commanding officer. Upon leaving, Adams was seen wearing a NYPD dress shirt and coat—attire typically reserved for official police ceremonies and funerals—and carrying a blue bag, as stated in the complaint.
When he left the building a short time later, he was clad in a NYPD dress shirt and coat — typically worn at police ceremonies and funerals — the complaint said. Adams was also carrying a blue bag.
It’s not clear when precinct personnel realized that their security had been breached.
Adams was arrested about six blocks away from the station house on Tuesday night after a 911 caller reported there was a man dressed as a cop and passed out inside NYCHA’s Clinton Houses on Lexington Ave.
Adams told police he ripped off the 23rd Precinct, the complaint said. Inside the blue bag were the plastic flex cuffs, the complaint said.
It wasn’t clear if the other stolen items were recovered. Police said they include a tie and tie clip, police documents, five sets of office keys, a business card, 12 NYPD challenge coins and 10 sets of collar brass — insignia pins that indicate an officer’s rank or unit.
Adams was additionally charged in an unrelated petit larceny case at his arraignment after he was accused of taking $2.45 from a store’s tip jar on Jan. 6.
Police said that among his 47 other arrests was one on Nov. 19 for another alleged tip jar theft in which he stole $2.56 from an East Harlem Dunkin’ Donuts.
Adams has several pending cases, including a loaded gun possession charged from the Bronx in 2023, records show.
His lawyer for the 23rd Precinct theft did not respond to a request for comment.
