3 teens charged in Huntington Station package theft

Three teenagers in Huntington Station were arrested Wednesday after throwing down a package they had stolen from a nearby home when a patrol officer approached them, Suffolk police said.

Jeffrey Granados, 17, of Huntington Station, and his companions, boys ages 13 and 14, were charged with criminal possession of stolen property after several 911 calls about boys in hoodies and sweatshirts taking a package from the front of a house about noon, police said.

Several patrol cars were sent to the area of Evergreen Avenue and Adelaide Street, and a-half hour later, Second Precinct Officer Thomas Perillo spotted the teenagers crossing Maplewood Road, said patrol Sgt. John Oakley.

One of the boys threw down the package, which had been ripped open and contained a computer stand and a cellphone case, Oakley said.

They admitted they had stolen the package, the sergeant said, and police are investigating whether they stole deliveries from other homes because the Depot Road address on the package was not the house where they were initially spotted.

With more people shopping for holiday gifts online, grabbing packages before residents get home has become part of holiday season for some opportunists, police said.

"I think they're just taking advantage of the season," Oakley said. "It's a shame because you try to give somebody something for Christmas and it doesn't show up."

Granados, of 478 Depot Rd., and the other teenagers were released on appearance tickets and will be given court dates later. The cases of the two younger teenagers have been assigned to Family Court.

Police ask residents to contact the Second Precinct crime section at 631-854-8226 if they have had packages stolen.