A hope that tape will tell tale

Suffolk police released surveillance images Friday of

three suspects sought in connection with the theft of firefighting gear from a

Centerport firehouse.

As volunteer members attended a wake for the nephew of their fire chief at

10:30 p.m. April 18, two young men entered the firehouse through an open bay

door and took the first two turnout coats hanging inside, police said.

The normally closed door was left open for a few minutes because a fire

truck from the Setauket department had left to respond to a call, said James

Varese, the chief of the Centerport Fire Department.

Setauket firefighters were filling in so members of the Centerport

department could attend the wake for Charles Varese, himself a volunteer

firefighter. The younger Varese was riding a motorcycle when he was struck and

killed by a man police said was driving while high on drugs.

"I had bigger things on mind than two flippin' jackets," Varese said,

adding he believed the suspects are "just kids playing games, they don't

realize they got nailed on camera."

A young woman can be seen on the videotape acting as a lookout. Police said

the suspects are thought to be between 17 and 22 years old.

Police released the enhanced surveillance images, taken from a camera

attached to the firehouse wall, because the investigation has yielded few

leads. Police said they hoped someone would recognize the suspects and report

them. They offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

The thefts left many at the firehouse puzzled, Varese said. Each turnout

coat had its owner's identification number stitched on the back. A pair of

gloves pinned to each of the coats was also stolen, Varese said. Each coat cost

$700, he said. The department expects to be reimbursed for the cost of

replacement coats from its insurance company.

Police asked anyone who recognizes the suspects to call 800-222-TIPS.

Varese said the timing of the theft was the most upsetting part of the

whole affair. "It just stinks," he said.

Staff writer Joseph Mallia contributed to this story.