Man wanted for questioning in Sayville nativity theft, cops say

Hate Crimes Unit detectives have released a photo of a man who they said “may have information” about nativity scene items stolen from outside a church last month in Sayville.

Suffolk County police said the items — a statue of baby Jesus and a statue of a lamb — were taken from the nativity outside St. Lawrence the Martyr RC Church on Handsome Avenue at Montauk Highway sometime between Dec. 25 and 26. It was not immediately clear why detectives believe the man in the photo has information about the theft.

Police are asking anyone with information about the man to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477. All calls will remain confidential and callers are eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for any information leading to an arrest.

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.”