NYC BRIEFS

NYPD defends its intel-gathering efforts

The NYPD's top official reiterated his defense Monday of the department's aggressive intelligence-gathering operations, saying there's no need to apologize for keeping tabs on some Muslims if that's what it takes to protect the city.

"Not everybody is going to be happy with everything the police department does, that's the nature of our business," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said. "But our primary mission, our primary goal, is to keep this city safe, to save lives. That's what we're engaged in doing."

Kelly's comments to reporters Monday were the latest in a recent string of public statements in response to reports by The Associated Press about the NYPD's surveillance on some Muslims across the Northeast following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

On a radio show on WOR, Kelly said some local politicians and potential candidates to succeed Mayor Michael Bloomberg who have criticized the counterterrorism efforts were pandering because of the upcoming election season.

Mentally disabled son, dad found dead

A mentally disabled man and his father, who cared for him, were found dead in their Bronx apartment.

The deaths, which were discovered Saturday night, were not considered suspicious.

Investigators believe the son, who was not able to care for himself, apparently died sometime after his father died after having a seizure.

Police say a daughter had gone to the apartment when she was unable to get in touch with them and found her father, Joseph Valerio Sr., 85, in his bedroom and his son, Joseph Valerio Jr., 46, both dead.

Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the city medical examiner's office, told The New York Times thatsaid the cause of death was pending an investigation.

Upper East Side burglar gets 18 years

The Manhattan district attorney says a burglar who targeted women on the Upper East Side has been sentenced to 18 years to life in prison.

Prosecutor Cyrus R. Vance Jr. announced the sentencing of Tyrone Hunter Monday. He pleaded guilty on Jan. 30 to burglary and attempted burglary.

Vance called the defendant a "violent criminal." Three women were victimized in November 2010. One was forced to undress, then was blindfolded. Another was thrown to the ground.

Not guilty plea in girlfriend's death

A New Jersey man, arrested in New York City after he was accused of running over his estranged girlfriend several times, has pleaded not guilty to murder .

Charles Ann entered the plea Monday during a brief court appearance in Hackensack, N.J., where he was represented by a public defender. He remains jailed on $3 million bail.

Ann is charged in the Feb. 20 death of 25-year-old Aena Hong, who was killed on a Fort Lee street.

Witnesses say the couple had been arguing before Ann drove away. Witnesses say he then turned around and rapidly accelerated before running over Hong as she was crossing an intersection. Investigators say he then put the car in reverse and ran over her body three times.

Prosecutors say Ann abandoned the car and fled to the city where he was arrested the next day.

Compiled from wire service reports