Hempstead man charged in thefts of rooftop heating and air-conditioning parts, police say

A Hempstead man was held in lieu of a $55,000 bond or $27,500 cash Sunday in connection with six incidents involving the removal of rooftop air conditioner parts in Hempstead.

Joseph W. Smith, 32, of 91 South Franklin Ave., was charged with grand larceny, second-degree criminal mischief and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and was arraigned Sunday at First District Court in Hempstead. He was being held in the Nassau County jail.

According to a Nassau County police report, the latest theft occurred at 1:57 p.m. Saturday at the Salvation Army, 194 Front St. in the village. When police officers arrived they reported seeing Smith run from the rooftop and onto the street.

Police conducted "an extensive search" and about five hours later found Smith in front of his South Franklin Avenue address and arrested him. There were no injuries reported.

Detectives later determined that Smith was a suspect in other roof top HVAC larcenies at the following locations: one at 94 Taft Ave., one at 77 S. Main St., and two at 389 Peninsula Boulevard and one at 369 Peninsula Boulevard, all in Hempstead.