2 charged in Hamptons car break-ins

Two Hampton Bays men have been arraigned on felony charges of grand larceny and criminal mischief in connection with dozens of thefts from vehicles during a period of three months, Southampton Town Police said Monday.

Jeison Portuguez, 18, and Alexander David Erraez-Leon, 21, were arrested Sunday at 12:15 a.m. after they were found "casing vehicles" near Eisenhower Drive in East Quogue, police said.

The two were pulled over at Montauk Highway and East Tiana Road in Hampton Bays, police said.

Police said in a news release the arrests came after an estimated 44 vehicles were broken into in Southampton Town between August and October. Police said the men would park in a neighborhood then stake out cars by walking the area.

The men became "proficient at stealing from unlocked vehicles," using a window punch tool to break windows and take electronics and other valuables, police said in the release.

"Many of our town residents were victimized twice -- not only did they have many of their personal valuable items stolen, but they had their cars damaged in the process," police said in a news release.

"Chief William Wilson had patrol officers increase their patrols of the community especially on the overnight hours. Detectives spent a majority of their investigatory efforts compiling and analyzing the thefts . . . reviewing types of vehicles, items stolen, location, time of day and day of week, and collecting and processing evidence from the crime scenes."

Portuguez is charged with 15 different offenses, including felonies of criminal mischief and grand larceny. His misdemeanor charges include criminal mischief, petty larceny and unlawful possession of burglars tools.

Erraez-Leon faces 16 charges, including felonies for criminal mischief and grand larceny; his misdemeanor charges include criminal mischief and petty larceny.

Erraez-Leon is being held on $1,500 bail after his arraignment at Southampton Justice Court. Portuguez was released on $1,500 bail. The identities of their attorneys could not immediately be determined.