Cops: Car break-in suspects nabbed after chase at Robert Moses

Two men who broke into five cars in a parking lot at Robert Moses State Park Monday afternoon were arrested after a chase through the dunes that involved canine and aviation search teams, authorities said.

Police said the break-ins were reported at Field 5 at about 2 p.m. and uniformed park officers responded to the scene at the eastern-most field - located closest to the Fire Island lighthouse. Witnesses told the officers the two men had been seen breaking a window on a BMW and discovered the men had stolen the navigation system, police said.

Police said the duo led officers on a chase into the dunes between Field 4 and Field 5. Suffolk County Police K-9 and aviation assisted park police.

One of the suspects was arrested as he fled onto the parkway, police said. The other was arrested near the concession stand at Field 5.

Police said Ricardo Rodriguez, 31, of Hemlock Drive in Bay Shore, was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal mischief, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and obstructing governmental administration. Joel Morales, 20, of West Drive in Bay Shore, was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, fourth-degree criminal mischief and obstructing governmental administration.

Both were scheduled for arraignment Tuesday in First District Court in Central Islip.

Police said they recovered GPS units, cell phones and other items stolen from five different cars in the lot.