Man Arrested After Trying To Burglarize LI Jewelry Store: Police

EASTPORT, NY — A thief caught trying to burglarize an Eastport jewelry store was later found to be responsible for at least three other burglaries and one grand larceny in Suffolk County, police said.

Francisco Maldonado, 42, of Bay Shore, was arrested Sunday at 2:35 a.m. on Montauk Highway in Eastport, Suffolk County Police said. He was trying to burglarize Marinelli Jewelers on Eastport Manor Road and was arrested a short time later, police said.

An investigation by major case unit detectives determined that Maldonado was responsible for three additional burglaries and a grand larceny, police said.

Maldonado burglarized a BP Gas Station, located on North Ocean Ave. in Holtsville, on April 18; Kitchen Designs and More, located on Sunrise Highway in Oakdale, on May 7; and the Original Michelangelo of Eastport Pizzeria and Restaurant, located on Eastport-Manor Road in Eastport, on May 27, police said.

During the burglaries, Maldonado stole cash and property, police said.

Maldonado also used a stolen credit card to make a purchase at Home Deport, located in Deer Park, on May 14, police said.

Maldonado was arrested and charged with three counts of third-degree burglary, one count of third-degree attempted burglary, one count of fourth-degree grand larceny, and resisting arrest, police said.

He will be held overnight at the Seventh Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Monday, police said.