Crown Heights Home Invader ID’d, Slammed With Slew of Charges Over Monday Attack

by CrownHeights.info

The NYPD has named the man arrested for the home invasion and assault in a Crown Heights home Monday, announcing a slew of charges that are likely to see him finishing the better part of a decade behind bars.

Gregory Jones, 56, was named by the NYPD as the man who allegedly forced his way inside the home in Crown Heights around 2:40pm Monday. Jones was tracked down by Crown Heights Shomrim and arrested by the NYPD a couple hours later. He now faces charges of robbery, strangulation, burglary, grand larceny, criminal use of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon, coercion, unlawful imprisonment, acting in a manner injurious to a child and menacing, according to the police.

According to a report by the New York Post, Jones’ arrest history dates back to August of 1993 when he was taken into custody for a murder in the 77th Precinct, the precinct which covers the northern section of Crown Heights.

As previously reported on CrownHeights.info, the frightening incident took place Monday afternoon when Jones, wearing a ConEdison jacket and mask, rang the Ring doorbell at a Jewish family’s home. The father of the home, just a few short blocks away, checked the camera on his phone and told the person to leave. Instead of leaving, the unwanted visitor forced his way into the home while brandishing a gun and attacked the people inside.

The father, still connected to the Ring doorbell, heard the screams as the attack took place, and in a matter of moments, was rushing up the steps of his home. Standing as a testament to the strength of Crown Heights, the father stood up to the home invader, disarming and knocking him unconscious.

Seizing the moment, the victims fled the home to safety and called the police. Despite a lightning-fast response time, they were unable to make it in time to catch the attacker, and as he regained consciousness, he retrieved his firearm and some valuables, then fled the home.

Caught on surveillance camera, the home invader could be seen running off with his head covered in blood and a jacket turned from fluorescent yellow to red.

Simultaneously, the mother made another call, this time to the volunteers of Crown Heights Shomrim.

In the invaders haste to grab whatever valuables he could, he had taken a phone from the home, one that was able to be tracked as he made his escape. Tracking the phone took the Shomrim volunteers to the East New York/Brownsville area of Brooklyn, where they again began to search.

One eagle eyed Shomrim volunteer was able to spot the attacker, recognizing him discarding the ConEdison jacket and changing most of his clothing. While one Shomrim volunteer followed the attacker, another one flagged down two police officers who were able to place to the man in handcuffs.

A quick search of the man yielded the firearm used in the home invasion as well as the stolen goods. Under the man’s hat also told the story, with multiple injuries and wounds from his struggle with the homeowner.

The victims of the attack were treated by Hatzalah and are thankfully in good health.

Crown Heights Shomrim is presently holding its annual fundraising campaign. Donate to help Shomrim continue protecting the Shchuna: https://charidy.com/shomrimch