7 Businesses Burglarized In 3 Suffolk Communities; Shirley Man Arrested: Police

Bay Shore, Central Islip, Brentwood — A Shirley man was arrested Tuesday and charged in connection with a string of commercial burglaries targeting seven businesses across Bay Shore, Central Islip, and Brentwood over the past three weeks, Suffolk County police said.

According to police, the investigation began after two Bay Shore businesses were broken into during the early morning hours of Jan. 14. Authorities said a man shattered glass doors or windows using heavy objects to gain entry.

The first two incidents occurred between approximately 3:20 a.m. and 3:40 a.m. at Winnie’s Coffee Shop, 166 East Main St., and NAPA Auto Parts–Budshore Auto Parts, 1912 Union Blvd., both in Bay Shore.

Following an investigation by Third Squad detectives and Third Precinct Investigative Unit officers, Joseph Porter was identified as the suspect in those burglaries as well as several additional break-ins, police said.

Third Precinct Community Support officers located Porter at 1:56 p.m. Tuesday at a residence on Palm Place in Bay Shore and placed him under arrest.

Police charged Porter, 36, of Shirley, with seven counts of third-degree burglary in connection with the following additional incidents:

• J&S Wine Cellar & Liquor Inc., 209 South Research Place, Central Islip — Jan. 27
• Pita & Pizza, 61 Wicks Road, Brentwood — Jan. 27
• Super Taco, 47 Wicks Road, Brentwood — Jan. 27
• Pine Aire Fish & Chips, 140 Pine Aire Drive, Bay Shore — Feb. 3
• Exit 42 Deli, 270 Spur Drive South, Bay Shore — Feb. 3

Porter was also charged with petit larceny for stealing merchandise from Home Depot, 301 South Research Place in Central Islip, on Jan. 14, police said.

He was held overnight and is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact Third Squad detectives at 631-854-8352.