Who is Shanice Aviles? Serial burglar caught stealing 'Christmas presents' from Robert De Niro’s NYC townhouse
UPPER EAST SIDE, NEW YORK CITY: A serial burglar was caught raiding through Robert De Niro’s Upper East Side townhouse on December 19. The burglar made a holiday break-in and attempted to steal gifts placed around the Christmas tree in his home, and fiddled around with the actor's iPad, as per law enforcement.
The sources said that the burglar, identified as Shanice Aviles, broke into De Niro's townhouse around 2.30 am and was caught red-handed during the burglary at the residence located on East 65th Street near Park Avenue, according to the New York Post.
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Who is Shanice Aviles?
Shanice Aviles, a 30-year-old woman is a known burglar who has been charged with 16 burglaries and petit larcenies, totaling 26 prior arrests, reports ABC 7. The woman is described as one of NYPD's "most prolific recidivist burglars." On the Upper East Side, she has been arrested nine times in the last year with the latest arrest recorded on December 8, as per Daily Mail.
Wanted for six other burglaries, the police had been following Aviles and it was during one of the patrols, the NYPD’s 19th Precinct Public Safety team trailed her into the 'Taxi Driver' actor's home. According to NYPD, before slipping into a corner, Aviles was found trying a few doors of the building. She then sneaked into the home of 79-year-old De Niro.
A police official said, “She was stealing Christmas presents,” and was fiddling with the De Niro's iPad, reports the New York Post. She was spotted and busted during the act as the police noticed that Aviles was not coming out of the house.
The police were unaware that the house belonged to the 'The Good Fellas' actor until he appeared at the sight downstairs following the commotion, ABC 7 reports. According to sources, the actor was asleep upstairs during the burglary and his daughter was in a bedroom during the burglary, and the building residents had no idea of the happenings.
The recidivist burglar who was busted inside De Niro's home started her crime doings during the pandemic, as per the New York Post report. Referring to Aviles whose charges are pending for the house burglary, a police source said “Back in the saddle with this perp,” and also said, “This is just another example of the catch and release justice system we’re dealing with.”