Watch out for Burglarizing Ninjas w/ Nunchucks in Staten Island
A suspected serial burglar struck again on Staten Island Thursday, but this time the homeowner caught him in the act and fought back. NY1's Mara Montalbano filed the following report.
In the latest burglary to shake Staten Island since April, a Dongan Hills homeowner says when the man broke into his home early Thursday morning, things got violent.
Philip Chiolo said it was the scariest moment of his life.
“I felt it was either me or him,” said Chiolo.
He says a loud noise woke him up early Thursday morning. When he went to check it out, he found an intruder dressed like a ninja in his kitchen.
Chiolo says when he confronted the person, he was attacked with a pair of nunchucks. He fought back – grabbing a nearby kitchen knife and stabbing the person.
“It went all the way into the handle. He just got up with the handle sticking out of him and walked out of the house,” recalled Chiolo. "I immediately called 911."
Police say they've been on the trail of a serial burglar who has been targeting homes in several communities in the 120 and 122 Precincts since April.
“We believe this fits the pattern,” said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. “This would be the 14th burglary that fits the pattern in Staten Island. We ask anyone with information to call our tips hotline.”
Police describe the suspect as a light-skinned man, about 6 feet tall, with a medium build and wearing a black ski mask. On one occasion, the suspect is known to have attacked a resident with mace or pepper spray.
In this latest incident the man left without any stolen goods, but residents say they've been robbed of their sense of security.
“I just don't appreciate it,” said Philip’s brother, Richard Chiolo. “I hope he's bleeding somewhere, in a lot of pain.”
The Chiolo brothers say they feel partly responsible for not fixing this fence, where they believe the burglar gained access to the side door. While they will be fixing it in the near future, they say they're not so worried about being targeted again.
“I think he knows better than to come back here,” said Philip.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Crime Stopper hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
- Mara Montalbano
In the latest burglary to shake Staten Island since April, a Dongan Hills homeowner says when the man broke into his home early Thursday morning, things got violent.
Philip Chiolo said it was the scariest moment of his life.
“I felt it was either me or him,” said Chiolo.
He says a loud noise woke him up early Thursday morning. When he went to check it out, he found an intruder dressed like a ninja in his kitchen.
Chiolo says when he confronted the person, he was attacked with a pair of nunchucks. He fought back – grabbing a nearby kitchen knife and stabbing the person.
“It went all the way into the handle. He just got up with the handle sticking out of him and walked out of the house,” recalled Chiolo. "I immediately called 911."
Police say they've been on the trail of a serial burglar who has been targeting homes in several communities in the 120 and 122 Precincts since April.
“We believe this fits the pattern,” said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. “This would be the 14th burglary that fits the pattern in Staten Island. We ask anyone with information to call our tips hotline.”
Police describe the suspect as a light-skinned man, about 6 feet tall, with a medium build and wearing a black ski mask. On one occasion, the suspect is known to have attacked a resident with mace or pepper spray.
In this latest incident the man left without any stolen goods, but residents say they've been robbed of their sense of security.
“I just don't appreciate it,” said Philip’s brother, Richard Chiolo. “I hope he's bleeding somewhere, in a lot of pain.”
The Chiolo brothers say they feel partly responsible for not fixing this fence, where they believe the burglar gained access to the side door. While they will be fixing it in the near future, they say they're not so worried about being targeted again.
“I think he knows better than to come back here,” said Philip.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Crime Stopper hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
- Mara Montalbano
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