Nassau cops investigating 2 break-ins with same entry method

Nassau police on Sunday said they are investigating a pair of rooftop commercial break-ins that occurred about a mile apart in Cedarhurst and North Lawrence.

The first break-in occurred shortly before 6 a.m. at a Chase Bank branch at 466 Central Ave. in Cedarhurst. The culprit gained access through a roof hatch, police said, but left without any money or other proceeds.

About 90 minutes later, the manager of a Staples store at 354 Rockaway Tpke. in North Lawrence, 1.1 miles northwest of the Chase Bank, discovered that several laptop computers and tablets were missing. An investigation revealed that entry was made through that building’s roof and the adjoining roof of a vacant business, police said.

It was not known whether the two break-ins were related and no further information was available Sunday afternoon.

Detectives ask anyone with information about either crime to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.