Queens man convicted in burglaries of North Shore homes

A Queens man faces sentencing May 26 after being convicted Tuesday for his role in a burglary spree that authorities said saw him and his accomplices steal more than $1 million from homes in gated communities on the North Shore.

The office of Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said Andres Zapata, 23, was convicted at trial of seven counts of second-degree burglary, second-degree attempted burglary and possession of burglar tools. He faces a maximum of 15 years on each burglary count.

"Andres Zapata and his co-defendants preyed on North Shore families for five months, gaining access to their homes and stealing more than $1 million in cash, jewelry, and other items," Donnelly said in a statement.

Authorities said that between May and September 2018 Zapata and his accomplices burglarized — or, attempted to burglarize — eight homes in Nassau, stealing not only cash and jewelry but also items like designer handbags. Donnelly said the burglars "specifically chose" gated communities with one entrance in and out so they could position a lookout to keep an eye out for police.

The burglaries were all committed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, with the burglars breaking and entering through rear windows or doors, authorities said.

The homes were located in Old Westbury, Manhasset, Jericho and Woodbury.

Zapata was arrested on Sept. 21, 2018, by Nassau County police. A co-defendant, Brayan Castano, of Elmhurst, Queens, was convicted in October — and is expected to be sentenced April 18.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”