Bronx Man Stole Car On Shelter Island: Police

SHELTER ISLAND, NY — A Bronx man was arrested Wednesday after he stole a car on Shelter Island that had been left unlocked with the keys inside, police said.

According to Shelter Island Police, John J. Zella was arrested at 3:11 a.m. after a report came in about the vehicle, stolen from the Heights area of Grand Avenue. SIPD officers located Zella with the vehicle on South Ferry Road shortly after, police said.

Zella was stopped, arrested, and charged with criminal possession of stolen property, a felony; unauthorized use of a vehicle; and driving without a license, police said.

He was taken into custody and processed at the Shelter Island Police Department, authorities said. After being held overnight, he was arraigned at Shelter Island Town Justice Court; when he could not make bail, set at $10,000, he was remanded to the Suffolk County Correctional Facility pending future legal proceedings, police said.

"We would like to remind residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to safeguard their property," police said.