Cops: Contractor stole equipment, materials

A Bronx man was arrested Monday, charged with stealing $5,000 worth of equipment and materials from a residential construction site in New Hyde Park in August, police said.

Nassau County police said Damion I. Brown, 35, of 323 Surf Dr. in the Bronx, had refused to return the property, belonging to the homeowner, despite "numerous attempts" to convince him to do so.

Police said the burglary occurred Aug. 9 at the home on Lawrence Street.

It was then, police said, that the homeowner, 42, was informed by construction workers that the items were missing and said the homeowner then contacted Brown, a former contractor at the site, who admitted he had removed the property -- but refused to return it. Police said the homeowner then "made numerous attempts to convince Brown to return the property, but was unsuccessful." The theft was then reported to police.

Brown was arrested at his home at 10 p.m. Monday.

He was charged with second-degree burglary and faces arraignment Tuesday in First District Court in Hempstead.