Wyandanch man arrested in auto parts theft, state cops say

State troopers responding to a tip about a suspicious vehicle parked early Monday morning near a Ford dealership in Riverhead arrested a Wyandanch man, charging him with stealing automotive parts.

Keenan Jones, 43, was arrested Monday at 2:15 a.m. after a brief pursuit, police said. A second man, believed to be the driver of the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe in question, is still being sought, State police said.

The incident began Sunday when, police said, a driver flagged down the troopers, telling them there was “a suspicious vehicle” parked on Pulaski Avenue near Riverhead Ford. The troopers located the sport utility vehicle, which they said fled.

At some point, the Tahoe stopped — and the two occupants ran, police said. Troopers caught Jones. Police said they recovered stolen car parts in the SUV.

Jones is charged with third-degree grand larceny, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree criminal mischief, possession of burglars tools and third-degree criminal trespass.

Arraignment details were not immediately available.

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.”