Trio Charged in Cellphone Store Sledgehammer Burglaries

Three men are charged with using a sledgehammer to break into several cellphone stores across Suffolk County and detectives believe they may be responsible for other similar burglaries, police said Wednesday.

Alexander Cintron, 31, of Bohemia, is charged with four counts of third degree burglary. David Potter, 37, of Bohemia, is charged with five counts of third degree burglary and resisting arrest. Lourriston Potter, 35, of Brentwood, is charged with three counts of third degree burglary.

Police say detectives began investigating an identified county crime pattern of cellphone store burglaries and as part of the investigation officers and detectives from numerous commands throughout Suffolk County were assigned to conduct surveillance at known vulnerable locations.

On Sunday, at R & K Verizon Wireless, located at 420 Montauk Highway, West Islip, Fourth Squad Det. William Berhalter was working surveillance when he observed three men enter the store by smashing the front window with a sledgehammer at about 3:15 a.m., police said.

Once inside, the men stole electronic devices, police said. As they exited the store, the three suspects noticed the detective and fled on foot, police said.

Canine officer John Mallia and his dog located two of the suspects in a backyard on Sequams Lane in West Islip, police said. Numerous officers assisted and arrested Cintron and David Potter, police said.

Following an investigation, Lourriston Potter, who is David Potter’s brother, was arrested on Monday, police said.

Detectives from the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth precincts charged the men with burglaries that occurred on the following dates and locations:

• Jan. 31, Verizon Wireless, 534 Route 111 Hauppauge
• Feb. 5, Wireless One Cellular, 5980 Jericho Turnpike, Commack
• Feb. 8, Verizon Wireless, 31 North Main St., Sayville
• Feb. 8, Verizon Wireless, 2002 Jericho Turnpike Commack
• Feb. 22, R & K Verizon Wireless, 420 Montauk Highway, West Islip

In all the burglaries, the men broke a window with a sledgehammer and stole electronic devices, police said.

The men are being investigating for several similar cellphone store burglaries throughout the county, police said.

Cintron and David Potter were arraigned on Monday. Cintron is being held on $45,000 bond of $15,000 cash bail. Potter is being held on $30,000 bond or $10,000 cash bail. Lourriston Potter was being held at the Second Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip Wednesday.

SCPD photos (from L-R): David Potter, Lourriston Potter and Alexander Cintron

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