Cops: Queens man charged after breaking into vehicle in Hicksville

A Queens man was arrested early Monday at a motel on theft charges after police responding to a vehicle break-in call in Hicksville tracked his getaway car and located it there, authorities said.

Raffael Giles, 43, of Woodhaven Boulevard, in the Woodhaven, was arrested just before 1 a.m. at the Jericho Motel — after Nassau police said they located his getaway car, which had been reported stolen days earlier, in the parking lot. Giles was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny, police said.

He was scheduled for arraignment Monday in Mineola.

Police said Giles was spotted trying to break into a car on Broadway in Hicksville by the vehicle's owner, who confronted him — only to have Giles flee.

The victim saw Giles get into a nearby silver Acura and drive off. Police said the victim then called 911 to report the incident, giving responding officers a description of the Acura.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or Second Squad detectives at 516-573-6253.

All calls will remain confidential.

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.”