Serial pervert
NYPD detective linked to sick string of peeping
AN OFF-DUTY NYPD detective busted for peeping into women’s windows on Long Island and pleasuring himself is a serial pervert who has committed the sick act many times, authorities said Monday.
Detective Robert Francis, 46, was charged with four counts of public lewdness, a misdemeanor, stemming from four creepy incidents in Rockville Centre, L.I. — but he indicated to police he’d peered at even more women, Rockville Centre Police Commissioner Charles Gennario said.
“He said he has done this in other jurisdictions,” Gennario said.
He was also charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a minor since three of the victims were under 16 and one was 17, as well as trespassing.
Court papers indicate that Francis (photo) has recently faced serious money trouble.
“He kept telling investigative detectives that he was going through tough times. To really tell you the truth, at this point I spoke to my detective just before we came in here and he was concerned that he may harm himself,” Gennario said.
Last April, a Queens judge ordered Francis to pay $40,209 in back rent at his Springfield Gardens, Queens, home. Last September, he declared bankruptcy, claiming he had $624,000 in assets and $727,000 in liabilities.
Gennario said Francis’ arrest was the result of an investigation that began Feb. 5 with a report of a Peeping Tom shining a flashlight into a woman’s window, then fondling himself. Two similar incidents followed.
“Same M.O. Male exposing himself, getting the attention of a female resident. When she looked, he would start masturbating. When she would go to get help, he would run away,” Gennario said.
On Friday — after several weeks without a report of a Peeping Tom — the man struck again, Gennario said.
On Saturday, police received a report of a suspicious person in a driveway and arrested Francis before he acted, Gennario said.
The detective with 17 years on the force was carrying a flashlight and fit descriptions of the suspect. Among the victims were young girls in high school who were “very fearful,” Gennario said. He added that the Peeping Tom appeared to have chosen victims at random.
Francis is assigned to the 71st Precinct stationhouse in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He has a wife and daughter and earns $9,832 per month, according to bankruptcy filings. Despite his rank, he was assigned to patrol, and he was not well-liked, a police source said.
Francis used to work in the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau, but was moved out after officials determined he put in for 17 hours he didn’t work, the source said.
A man who answered the door at Francis’ home declined to comment.
“He’s not here, so you can get the f--- out!” he said.
The NYPD has suspended Francis and taken his firearm.