In late December 2015, Knicks forward Cleanthony Early was the unfortunate victim of a robbery worthy of an episode of The Wire. Police believe a man arrested for a different armed theft months earlier outside of a Queens nightclub may be linked to the NBA player’s shooting.
The previous incident has similar circumstances to the robbery that left Early relieved of his jewels.
Reports the New York Daily News:
Kareen Brown, 27, is charged with participating in a Sept. 6, 2015 robbery of three persons at the Purlieu Club in Astoria, according to a complaint unsealed in Brooklyn Federal Court.
Brown is not charged with the Dec. 30 attack on Early, nor is it mentioned in his court papers, but there are similarities between the two crimes, sources noted.
Brown and his accomplices allegedly boxed in the victims’ car with their vehicles — just like the Uber cab occupied by Early and his gal pal Iliana Douge was surrounded in Maspeth after they left the CityScapes strip joint. A team of four robbers carried out the Purlieu Club robbery and as many as six bandits wearing ski masks accosted Early, police said.
Brown’s crew may have had inside help on the Purlieu Club job — when the three victims tried to retrieve their car from the valet parking lot around 6 a.m., they were told the keys had been lost, according to the complaint.
While they waited for a locksmith, Brown allegedly drove up in front of their car and asked if they were looking for their keys. A second car pulled in behind the victims’ car and Brown announced a robbery, cops say.
Early and his companion were boxed in while riding in an Uber car after leaving a Queens strip club. After Early gave up his jewelry, phone and cash, one of the assailants still shot him in the knee.
A couple of weeks ago, police revealed that they traced Early’s stolen phone to Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn before it was deactivated.
According to reports, Early may be back on the court after the NBA All-Star break in March.
No more trips to shady after hours spots in Queens, or anywhere, sir.
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Photo: AP Photo
