Jose Benitez charged in 5 commercial burglaries, cops say

A Huntington Station man was arrested Thursday morning and charged with five counts of burglary in the third-degree and false personation, Suffolk police said.

Second Precinct Police Officers Michael Buscarino and Vincent Dilluvio said they spotted Jose Benitez, 34, drinking from an open container of alcohol in front of 1720 New York Ave. in Huntington Station at 5:10 a.m.

Benitez gave a false name and the officers took him to the Second Precinct. Authorities said further investigation revealed he was believed to be connected to five commercial burglaries in less than a week.

He is accused of burglarizing Best for Less, at 1711 New York Ave. on March 17 before moving on to Sunny’s Discount, at 1345 New York Ave. on March 21.

Police said he also burglarized Variedades Belen, at 1671 New York Ave. sometime during a 13-hour period beginning Sunday evening and ending Monday morning.

Police say on March 23 he burglarized Checkers, at 1680 New York Ave. at 3:30 a.m. before moving on to Promesas Christian Book Store, at 1342 New York Ave, at 4 a.m.

Benitez also was issued a summons for having an open container of alcohol.

Authorities say he will be held overnight at the Second Precinct, and is scheduled to be arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip on Friday.