Woodmere burglar captured by surveillance camera, police say

The homeowner saw a light come on, then go off. So he got up to investigate, police said.

The man didn’t find anything amiss and went back to bed.

But the four burglars in the home, one of whom was caught on surveillance video, heard the owner’s footsteps. And fled.

Nassau County police said the break-in took place at 2:35 a.m. Monday at a home in Woodmere. The suspects broke a basement window, then entered the home on Colfax Place — not knowing that four family members were asleep upstairs.

The flash of light woke the owner. But, as police said, his presence alerted the suspects — and they ran off. Nothing was stolen.

Police have released surveillance images of one of the suspects. Detectives said that suspect is wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt with white dots, red basketball shorts with white stripes and white sneakers. They’re hopeful the public will recognize him — or know something about the crime — and call Forth Squad detectives or Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477.

All calls will remain confidential. Callers are eligible for a cash reward 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.”