Man Found With Stolen Property From Nurseries, Greenhouses: Cops

MATTITUCK, NY — A Mattituck man was arrested after he was found to have stolen property taken from nine nurseries and greenhouses, police said.

According to Southold Town Police, Jacob Waitz, 40, was arrested on Wednesday at 8:57 a.m. in Mattituck and charged with nine counts of criminal possession of stolen property, a felony.

Southold Town Police detectives, investigating a series of thefts from area nurseries, executed a search warrant at Waitz's Mattituck home, police said.

During the search, authorities found a considerable amount of nursery and greenhouse plantings as well as potting soil, mulch, pots and other growing supplies, police said.

Stolen items from nine area nurseries and greenhouses were recovered by police and identified by the owners; the items recovered had been stolen over the past several months and were valued at approximately $20,000, police said.

Waitz was arrested and transported to Southold Police headquarters, police said.

He was charged with multiple felony and misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of stolen property, police said.

Waitz was held overnight for arraignment in Southold Town Justice Court on Thursday, police said.

Patch file photo.