Local Career Criminal Back in Custody After Arrest in 68 Pct

A local career criminal wanted on two bench warrants was brought in for custody while in another Brooklyn precinct, according to police. 

On Thursday, Jan. 24, Efrain Gauthier was arrested within the confines of the 68th Precinct—which serves Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Fort Hamilton—when he was spotted riding a bicycle on the sidewalk. Upon being searched, Gauthier, 24, was found to be carrying a second stolen bicycle, drugs and various burglary tools. 

Officers of the 76th Precinct, which has been plagued by Gauthier's criminal activity for years, were ecstatic to learn of the arrest, a police source told us, as this closed out two open bench warrants.

According to the NYPD, Gauthier has 43 previous arrests and 25 convictions. In June, Captain Jeffrey Schiff was so fed up with the recidivist returning to the streets that he visited the Red Hook Justice Center and requested Judge Calabrese impose a higher bail. As a result of the conversation, the bond was set at $10,000.

But eventually Gauthier was released and fell back to his old habits as recently as October 2012, when he was arrested for breaking into a vehicle at the Corner of Sumner and Hicks Streets and stealing various items inside.

Gauthier failed to show up to his sentencing for that crime, however, and has been wanted since. Police said it was the second time he had failed to appear for a sentencing. The earlier bench warrant was in relation to grand larceny.

Captain schiff has previously stated that whenever Gauthier is arrested, the number of car break-ins and stolen bicycles in the 76th Precinct goes down immediately afterward.

Stay with Patch for updates.