Man in Westbury burglary spree arrested 11 times, prosecutors say

A Westbury man who police say has been on a summerlong burglary spree was charged with seven counts of third-degree burglary during his arraignment Sunday in First District Court in Hempstead.

Jean Pierre, 37, was arrested Saturday after an early morning break-in at the JN Mini Mart on Prospect Avenue in Westbury at 4:15 a.m., police said.

Prosecutors said Pierre has been arrested 11 times, including once for a felony and three failures to appear in court. Bail for Pierre was set at $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond per count; he must pay $70,000 cash or $140,000 bond to go free.

A public defender argued that Pierre is a longtime resident who works as an auto detailer. While in court, Pierre said he earns $70 per day and lives with his mother.

Police said their investigation revealed that Saturday marked the suspect’s seventh burglary in Westbury since June.

Nassau police said:

• On Saturday, officers arrived at the scene and found JN Mini Mart’s front glass window broken, and a cash register with missing money was hidden in the bushes. Pierre was leaving the scene on a bicycle. No injuries were reported.
• On July 7, Pierre used a hammer to break into an office at Ultra Wash Laundromat on Maple Avenue and stole money.
• On July 1, he broke a glass window at Piccola Bussola Restaurant on Old Country Road, stealing cash from a register.
• That same day, he entered an Outback Steakhouse on Old Country Road and broke the register but didn’t take money.
• On June 19, he pried his way into a laundromat on Post Avenue, taking vending machine money, a camera, a $250 gift card, $150 in quarters and lottery tickets.
• On June 18, Pierre burglarized another laundromat on Post Avenue, breaking into vending machines, stealing an iPad mini and a $250 gift certificate.
• On June 8, Pierre broke the front glass door to Isla De La Dahia restaurant on Post Avenue and removed cash from a register.

All the burglaries occurred between 2:24 and 4:35 a.m., police said.

Pierre is due back in court on Wednesday.