Homeless man who terrorized New York park is now in mental hospital

A frustrated homeless man who has terrorized Manhattan’s Gramercy Park neighborhood for almost a year has been admitted to a mental hospital a day after The Post reported on the problems of local residents dealing with him, officials say.

The NYPD said Friday that Sheldon Schrowder, 47, was detained by police on January 17 on mischief charges for allegedly breaking into an apartment building on Lexington Avenue near East 25th Street and causing damage to the premises. for compacting debris and a bag for tools.

Officers then took Shrowder, known locally as Howard, to Bellevue Hospital for a psychological evaluation and continued to make sure he received mental health care.

“Precinct 13 is in constant communication with Bellevue Hospital, so Sheldon Schrowder is receiving long-term care,” a police spokesman said Friday.

Matthew McDermott

Matthew McDermott

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Abe Bishupan

Matthew McDermott

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“First, I’d like to thank the staff at Precinct 13 and Bellvue Hospital for their help in resolving a situation that was out of control and a problem that clearly needed to be addressed.” New York City Council Majority. This was announced on Friday by leader Keith Powers.

“I am grateful that we were able to solve the problem,” he added.

Residents of the building on Lexington Avenue previously told The Post that Shrouder repeatedly broke into their home and, on one occasion, defecated in a compact room.

Local residents said they repeatedly called 911 and 311, but nothing was done to resolve their problems or provide Schrowder with any mental health care.

Police also charged Schrowder with three other petty thefts at the building between September and December last year. On each occasion, police said, he snatched a tip jar from inside the building.