Who is Shanice Aviles? Serial burglar caught stealing 'Christmas presents' from Robert De Niro’s NYC townhouse

Wanted for six other burglaries, the police had been following Aviles and it was during one of the patrols, the NYPD’s 19th Precinct Public Safety team trailed her into the 'Taxi Driver' actor's home. According to NYPD, before slipping into a corner, Aviles was found trying a few doors of the building. She then sneaked into the home of 79-year-old De Niro.

A police official said, “She was stealing Christmas presents,” and was fiddling with the De Niro's iPad, reports the New York Post. She was spotted and busted during the act as the police noticed that Aviles was not coming out of the house.

The police were unaware that the house belonged to the 'The Good Fellas' actor until he appeared at the sight downstairs following the commotion, ABC 7 reports. According to sources, the actor was asleep upstairs during the burglary and his daughter was in a bedroom during the burglary, and the building residents had no idea of the happenings.

The recidivist burglar who was busted inside De Niro's home started her crime doings during the pandemic, as per the New York Post report. Referring to Aviles whose charges are pending for the house burglary, a police source said “Back in the saddle with this perp,” and also said, “This is just another example of the catch and release justice system we’re dealing with.”