Suffolk cops suspect teen in car break-ins

A Lake Ronkonkoma teen charged in the theft of items from a car parked in a driveway near his home is being investigated in a string of similar thefts in the area, Suffolk County police said Monday.

Victor Kokonis, 17, of 7 Junior Dr., was charged with attempted petty larceny after trying to steal items on March 6 from a car parked in a driveway on Gatelot Avenue, also in Lake Ronkonkoma, police said in a news release.

He was arrested on the charge Saturday after an investigation.

Lt. Frank Carparelli of the Fourth Precinct said witnesses saw Kokonis walking along Gatelot Avenue, looking into parked cars. Several unlocked cars in the same area have reported missing items during the past three weeks, Carparelli said.

At arraignment, Kokonis was released on his own recognizance.