A violent ex-con squatting in a swanky West Village constructing has allegedly spent months terrorizing his neighbors — who say he has turned his condo right into a “flophouse” and recurrently threatens to kill them.
Tenants and the owner say Melvin DeJesus weaseled his approach into an aged man’s rent-controlled condo within the fascinating location, at 400 Bleecker St., final summer time, after which by no means left when the person died later that 12 months.
“He says he’s going to kill the tenants and he’s able to die,” mentioned one neighbor within the constructing, the place a two-bedroom unit just lately rented for $6,700 a month.
The tenant was too frightened of DeJesus — who has a terrifying rap sheet, together with a 1987 tried homicide cost within the Bronx — would come after them and requested to stay nameless.
The proprietor of the constructing, The Brodsky Group, is now suing the ex-con for $5.5 million, along with an ongoing eviction continuing that would take months to resolve.
In a single hours-long screed final week, DeJesus screamed, “You began a struggle and I’m going to complete it!” when residents found a five-gallon tank of gasoline outdoors his door and known as the cops, in accordance with the lawsuit.
“I’m going to throw your ass off the motherf—ing roof,” the neighbor from hell screamed, the go well with claims.
However DeJesus claims the enviable West Village pad is rightfully his, as a result of the now-deceased longtime tenant was really his homosexual lover of 30 years.
“The owner is knowingly mendacity about my standing on this rent-controlled condo regardless of my 31-year historical past with my partner/home companion,” DeJesus wrote in a reply to the eviction continuing, including that his mail has been delivered there “for over 30 years.”
DeJesus didn’t reply to a request for remark.
“He’s threatened that he has knives and weapons,” mentioned one other terrified tenant. “I pray to god he doesn’t really.”
The ex-con took a plea deal within the tried homicide cost and was sentenced to 2-4 years in jail for assault. However his disturbing rap sheet doesn’t finish there.
DeJesus was discovered responsible at trial of drug dealing in 1993, the place he was handed a sentence of as much as 10 years, in accordance with the Bronx District Legal professional’s workplace.
“Completely floored that that is the brand new regular,” one other tenant instructed The Submit. “He’s a terrorizer,” the resident added. “A violent, violent prison.”
The “nightly disturbances” started final summer time, the lawsuit claims.
On June 26, cops responded to a 911 name, the place DeJesus allegedly screamed that “he had a knife and was prepared to make use of it” throughout a “extended confrontation” within the stairwell for practically an hour.
Police confirmed to The Submit that two individuals had been taken to the hospital by EMS through the misery name, one with a minor arm harm.
Tenants have known as the cops many different instances on their nutty neighbor, however regardless of police displaying up repeatedly, nothing ever occurs.
“Typically he’ll tone it when [cops] are right here. After they go away, he begins up once more, ‘I dare you to name them once more,’” mentioned a resident. “He is aware of the place the road is to not get arrested.”
One other mentioned that the cops had been on the constructing a number of instances Wednesday night time, however had been unable to do something, “as a result of it wasn’t a right away risk,” they mentioned.
Cops confirmed they got here by twice that night time, however since they didn’t personally witness the alleged harassment, there was nothing they might do, sources mentioned.
“I don’t really feel comfy right here,” one other tenant griped. “I don’t wish to get killed.”
DeJesus allegedly shacked up with the longtime rent-controlled tenant at condo 5B, octogenarian John Grafenecker, neighbors mentioned. Grafenecker lived within the condo from 1974 till he died in October.
The proprietor of the constructing solely found Grafenecker had died after they tried to take him to courtroom over two months of missed hire — and as a substitute of the 84-year-old, DeJesus was there and introduced his alleged roommate was lifeless, the go well with claims.
Grafenecker “repeatedly denied” that DeJesus lived in his condo, in accordance with courtroom papers.
Tenants had been not sure how the odd couple knew one another, and regardless of generally seeing DeJesus carry groceries for the senior citizen, the 2 continuously fought and argued — loudly.
“As soon as he acquired right into a scuffle with the previous man,” a tenant recalled. “He mentioned, ‘I’m going to throw you down the stairwell.’”
DeJesus has since allegedly turned condo 5B right into a “flophouse” stuffed with mattresses and rubbish, the go well with claims, with a “scary group of individuals” coming out and in, mentioned one tenant.
A number of of DeJesus’ “visitors” had been hauled away in an ambulance when cops had been known as for a wellness verify in January, in accordance with the go well with.
The Brodsky Group — one of many builders turning the Flatiron Constructing into condos and beforehand accused of being a slumlord — didn’t reply for remark.
“After the dying threats, I’m pondering of transferring,” a tenant mentioned. “Nobody desires to cope with this.”
