Burglar Chasing People On Beach Sparks Pursuit: Police

NORTH FORK, NY — A Cutchogue man was arrested after he chased people on the beach, led police on a pursuit, crashed, and was found to have burglarized two buildings, police said.

According to Southold Town Police, the incident took place on Friday at 11:24 a.m., beginning on Nassau Point Road. Alexander Ellioff, 35, was arrested and charged with burglary, menacing, resisting arrest, and numerous traffic violations, police said.

Police said they responded to Nassau Point after a report regarding a man dressed in a red lifeguard shirt, chasing people on the beach. Officers were directed to a nearby home, and found Ellioff wearing the shirt, police said.

Ellioff then fled in a white Jeep Liberty; he refused to stop despite being pursued by police, authorities said. Police terminated the pursuit at the Southold town line in Mattituck, authorities said.

Ellioff was then involved in a collision at the intersection of New York State Route 25 and Edwards Avenue in Calverton, where he was detained by Riverhead police and eventually arrested by Southold police, authorities said.

Ellioff was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries, police said.

Further investigation in the Nassau Point Beach area revealed that two buildings on the property had been burglarized; Ellioff was found to be in possession of items from the buildings, police said.