Cops: Queens man charged in string of Nassau car thefts, burglary

A Queens man was arrested Monday and charged in a burglary at the Cedarhurst Department of Public Works and a string of automotive thefts in North Lawrence and Cedarhurst in February and March.

Nassau County police said Ingmar Connell, 32, was arrested at his home on Brookville Boulevard in Rosedale following what was described as "an extensive investigation" and charged with third-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree grand larceny, three counts of third-degree grand larceny, petit larceny and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Police said the charges relate to crimes committed between Feb. 5 and March 24.

The burglary took place at the Cedarhurst Department of Public Works on Hanlon Drive on  Feb. 22 at 12:30 a.m.

The other crimes include what police described as "multiple motor vehicle thefts," including:

• The theft of a 2014 Ford F250 on Feb. 5 from County Auto Repair located at 661 Burnside Ave. in North Lawrence, at 2:13 a.m. 
• Theft of a 2020 Dodge Ram 550 from the Cedarhurst Department of Public Works at 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 22
• The theft of a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country mini van from K & G Auto Garage located at 656 Rockaway Tpke. in North Lawrence, at 6:15 a.m. on March 2
• The theft of a freight delivery truck from the Raymour & Flanigan Warehouse at 55 Johnson Rd.  in North Lawrence, at 2:30 a.m. on March 3
•  The theft of a 2011 Infinity M37 from County Auto Repair at 611 Burnside Ave. in North Lawrence, at 12:30 a.m. on March 24

During their investigation, police said detectives determined Connell stole a power washer and equipment from Reis Motors at 265 Burnside Ave. in North Lawrence on March 1.

During his arrest, police said Connell was found to be in possession of a key fob for the stolen Infinity.

Connell was released subject to non-bail conditions, online records show, and he is due to return to court Thursday. No defense lawyer was listed and a temporary order of protection was issued in the case for an unidentified person.

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.”