Suffolk police arrest man suspected in numerous car break-ins
Suffolk police arrested Keith Keene, 36, a homeless man, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014. Police said Keene is a suspect in dozens of car break-ins during the past two months. Credit: SCPD
Suffolk police arrested a homeless man Sunday they suspect was behind dozens of car break-ins during the past two months.
Keith Keene, 36, was arrested about 1:45 p.m. on Station Road in North Bellport after one of his reported victims recognized him from a previous surveillance video and called out to onlookers to help detain him until police arrived.
Fifth Squad detectives said Keene was arrested on a parole warrant, and "further investigations" revealed he was responsible for dozens of car break-ins throughout Medford, North Bellport and East Patchogue in July and August.
Police said Keene "would ride around on his bicycle looking for unlocked vehicles," stealing cash, wallets, pocketbooks, jewelry, gift cards and electronics left in the vehicles.
Among the areas police said Keene targeted were: Matsunaye Drive, Patrician Lane and Meyer Lane in Medford; Travis Road in East Patchogue; and Orchard Road, Rustic Avenue, South Village Drive and Tarpon Avenue in North Bellport.
Keene was charged with two counts of grand larceny and five counts of petty larceny. He is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip Monday.
'It's personal to me' The law would require businesses to have proper state licensing, prove that their employees are paid and ban staff from living at the spas or sleeping there overnight. Repeat offenders could face penalties up to $25,000. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.
'It's personal to me' The law would require businesses to have proper state licensing, prove that their employees are paid and ban staff from living at the spas or sleeping there overnight. Repeat offenders could face penalties up to $25,000. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.
