Three charged in East Moriches home invasion, DA says

Three men who Suffolk police said conducted an armed home invasion in East Moriches two weeks ago have been arraigned on a first-degree burglary charge, according to Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota’s office.

The defendants pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned before state Supreme Court Justice John Collins on Tuesday and Wednesday in Suffolk, officials said.

Police and prosecutors said that Alexander Vaughn, 29, and Bidi George, 20, both of Brooklyn, and Akim Adams, 26, who is homeless, stormed into an occupied home on Amanda Way armed with baseball bats and a handgun, and stole cash, jewelry, a cellphone and an Apple watch on Nov. 16.

Authorities said the suspects also tied up a father, mother and one child with duct tape. Three other children where in the home at the time, officials said.

Police caught up to the men on the Southern State Parkway in Bay Shore shortly after the 10:20 p.m. burglary and arrested them, officials said.

Adams’ attorney, Ian Fitzgerald of Central Islip, declined to comment. George was being represented by the Legal Aid Society, records show, and the agency does not comment on cases.

Vaughn, who authorities said is a prior violent felony offender, was being held on $1.5 million cash or a $3 million bond and is due back in court Jan. 18. Adams was being held on $500,000 cash or $1 million bond and is due back in court Jan. 6. George was being held on $500,000 cash or $1 million bond and is due back in court Dec. 8.

Chris Gioe, Vaughn’s Hauppauge-based attorney, said his client maintains his innocence.

“Obviously, right now we are investigating the claims made by the district attorney’s office,” he said, a few hours after accepting the case. “Mr. Vaughn is denying these allegations.”