Incident Report: Ex-Employees Suspected in Separate Cases

Recent crimes and suspicious incidents reported to the Southampton Town Police Department. 

Identity theft

• An East Quogue resident reported on Jan. 19 that someone had used his debit card without permission to make over $3,300 in purchases through a company called Stoneberry. Reports state the items were ordered in the name of his next door neighbor, who he stated is incapacitated and could not have made the purchases. Police are investigating the incident as grand larceny in the third degree.

Criminal mischief

• A resident of Lynn Avenue in Hampton Bays reported on Jan. 17 that someone had shattered the rear windshield of his car.

• A resident of Deerland Drive in East Quogue reported on Jan. 13 that someone had broken three windows on the east site of his home, apparently with a pellet or bb gun. Police reported that the damage appeared to be old, as dirt and dust have accumulated inside the glass fractures. Police found no further physical damage and filed the incident as a criminal mischief.

• On Jan. 11, a Riverside man reported that three 32-inch manhole covers had been taken from Old Quogue Road. Police are investigating the incident.

Grand larceny

• A Quiogue resident reported on Jan. 16 that several items had been stolen from an unlocked shed behind his home. According to reports, the items had scrap metal and antique value, and included a rototiller, metal wheelbarrow, cast iron chair, two push lawnmowers, a vacuum, and ride-on lawnmower. Police are investigating the incident as a grand larceny.

• On Jan. 14, a man reported that several items were taken from his unlocked car in the parking lot of Stop & Shop between 6:30 and 7 p.m. According to reports, the man said a Dell laptop, black packpack, prescription sunglasses, and several work items were taken from his car. Police said security footage was viewed at the time of the preliminary investigation, however no further evidence was found. The case is being investigated as a grand larceny in the fourth degree.

• An employee of Hampton Hills Golf Course reported that between 2:15 p.m. on Jan. 13 and 9:15 a.m. on Jan. 15, a piece of lawn equipment, valued at $2,500, was taken from the maintenance shop. The man who reported the theft noted that an ex-employee repeatedly asked to buy the used equipment and scrap it for money. The investigation is continuing as a fourth-degree grand larceny.

• Copart, which is storing damaged vehicles from Hurricane Sandy, reported on Jan. 19 that a 2008 Suzuki motorcycle was stolen from their yard on Speonk-Riverhead Road, possible around Jan. 17. The motorcycle is believed to be about $5,000.

• A husband and wife staying at The Atlantic on Jan. 13 reported that their iPhones, passports and credit cards were stolen. According to reports, the individuals reported a problem with their hot tub and contacted the manager. While the husband went to locate the manager and the wife stayed behind, leaving the door ajar, the two later noticed that the items were missing.

Harassment

• A Hampton Bays man reported to police receiving a threatening text message from an ex-employee of his, though did not wish to pursue charges at the time. According to reports, the man was in fear for his physical safety when he received the following text: “OK so do your things i do my keep my money your need for doctor bills that’s my way.” According to reports, the suspect believes he is owed money. Police are investigating the incident as an aggravated harassment charge in the second degree.

• A Riverside man reported that on Dec. 27, while he was watching TV in his home on Route 104, he heard glass break in his house and a stranger – a white man about 6 feet tall, wearing blue jeans and sneakers – came into his room, pushed him down on his bed and stole his wallet, a Chase debit card and $70 cash. He then fled the home southbound. Suffolk County Sheriff’s K-9 unit, and a Suffolk County Police helicopter responded to assist.

Burglary

• A business on Montauk Highway in Water Mill reported that between 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 14 and 4:10 a.m. on Jan. 15, eight rolls of quarters and six rolls of nickels were stolen from the cash register, totaling $86. Suffolk County K-9 unit assisted in the burglary investigation, however the case is pending further investigation. Police said it appeared a blunt object was used to pry open the front door.