Cops: Burglar nabbed with bag of jewelry

Arlindo DaCruz, 31, of Port Jefferson, has been charged with two counts of second-degree burglary and one count of criminal possession of stolen property after he was spotted by officers with a plastic bag of jewelry and other stolen items were later recovered from his van, Suffolk County police said. (March 14, 2012) Credit: SCPD
A man who distributed fliers for two home improvement companies was arrested Wednesday in Head of the Harbor after a local police officer spotted him with a plastic bag of jewelry and other stolen items were later recovered from his van, police said.
"A large quantity of stolen items" was recovered from the van of Arlindo DaCruz, 31, of Port Jefferson, who admitted to twice breaking into a house on Rhododendron Road -- the same road he was walking on when police spotted him with the jewelry, Suffolk County police said.
DaCruz said he did house painting and restoration work with F&M Custom Painting Service Corp. and Long Island Finest Painting Service, for whom he also distributed fliers, police said. Detectives are trying to determine DaCruz's connection with the companies, which could not be located Thursday.
At 12:20 p.m. the Head of the Harbor police officer saw and spoke to DaCruz, who dropped the bag and fled, police said. The officer asked for assistance from Suffolk County Police Canine Section and, after a search, DaCruz was found at 1 p.m. on Saddle Road.
He was charged with two counts of second degree burglary and one count of criminal possession of stolen property. DaCruz was scheduled to appear Thursday in First District Court in Central Islip.
Suffolk County detectives are looking to speak with people who may have received fliers promoting the services of F&M Custom Painting Service Corp. and Long Island Finest Painting Service, as well as seeking help in identifying the owners of two Franklin Mint statues found in DaCruz's van. Anyone with information can contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

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