John Alaia, building superintendent, due in court as burglary probe continues

An East Moriches building superintendent in custody on charges he stole items from the apartment complex where he works is expected to face a judge again Tuesday.

The investigation continues into burglaries at the Walden Pond complex, where John Alaia, 37, sneaked into apartments while the tenants were away, Suffolk County police said.

Alaia is charged with six felony counts of second-degree burglary, according to online court records.

Since his arrest on Thursday, Alaia, who also lives in the 55-and-older community, has been held on bail of $30,000 bond, $10,000 cash on each count.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Walden Pond resident John Madigan told News 12 Long Island he wasn't even aware he had been burglarized -- rings of sentimental value were taken from his bedroom -- until police informed him of the superintendent's arrest Thursday night.

"I feel terrible," Madigan said. "I've always said the locks should be our locks, not the management's locks."

Suffolk police said they theorize Alaia was successful at avoiding suspicion because he would take just a few items and leave many behind.

Detectives ask that residents of the complex call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752 if they have missing items, especially jewelry.