Pair Nabbed In The Middle of Burglary In Nassau: Police

Police arrested two men they say were in the middle of a burglary in Merrick on Saturday night.

According to detectives, a 59-year-old man saw a 2006 Toyota parked in front of his Ott Lane home and two unknown men walking to and from a neighbor’s home at 11:45 p.m., even though the neighbor was not home. The witness saw that his neighbor’s side gate was left open, along with the rear first floor window. The man dialed 911 and reported suspicious activity.

First Precinct officers responded, and after an investigation, placed Pedro Serrano, 26, of Park Avenue, Uniondale, who was sitting in the driver’s seat of the Toyota under arrest without incident.

The second man was seen running east on Jerusalem Avenue by other responding officer, who chased him down on foot. After a brief struggle, Pedro P. Barriga, 21, of Paula Lane, East Meadow, was placed into police custody.

Proceeds consisting of assorted jewelry, a cell phone, and an iPod were recovered. An officer hit his head on the ground during the struggle and suffered a concussion. He is being treated at a nearby hospital.

Police say that further investigation revealed that the two are responsible for two other burglaries that occurred in Levittown in December 2016.

Both are being charged with three counts second-degree burglary and possession of burglar’s tools. Barriga is additionally charged with second-degree assault and resisting arrest. Both men were arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Sunday.

Photo: Nassau County Police Department