Huntington Man Accused of Burglarizing Several Nassau County Homes

A Huntington man accused of committing several burglaries in Nassau County was arrested Saturday morning following a foot chase, police say.

According to authorities, a witness saw 30-year-old Charles Stewart running out of a home’s backyard on Bellaire Street in Wantagh at approximately 4:56 a.m.

Officers located Stewart in a nearby minivan, which was being operated by 43-year-old Huntington resident Diana Maben, and pulled over the vehicle in an attempt to question them, but Stewart fled the scene on foot, police say. Officers gave chase and arrested Stewart while Maben was arrested at the scene. One of the officers was injured during the foot chase and suffered abrasions and shoulder pain. No other injuries were reported.

A handgun was subsequently discovered inside the minivan following the arrests, police say.

An investigation discovered Stewart was allegedly responsible for the following burglaries that occurred throughout Nassau County:

• June 24: A Beech Street home in Wantagh was entered through a window while the residents were sleeping at 9 p.m. Jewelry, a wallet and car keys were stolen from the home. The car parked in the driveway was then stolen, but the vehicle was recovered by Nassau County Police on July 4.
• May 23: A Pompano Lane home in Massapequa was entered through a sliding glass door while the residents were sleeping at 11:30 p.m. A pocketbook and car keys were stolen from the home and the car parked in the driveway was also stolen. The vehicle was recovered by Suffolk County Police on June 6.
• May 9: A Market Drive home in Syosset was entered using a garage door opener that was inside an unlocked vehicle at 4:30 a.m. A wallet containing cash and a hoverboard was stolen from the home.
• May 4: An Audrey Avenue home in Plainview was entered using a garage door opener found inside an unlocked vehicle at 3 a.m. The homeowner woke up during the burglary and the suspect fled the scene.
• May 2: A Southern Parkway home in Plainview was entered using a garage door opener that was found inside an unlocked vehicle at 4:30 a.m. No valuable property was taken and the suspect fled the scene.
• May 2: A Stauber Drive home in Plainview was entered through an open garage door at 5 a.m. A safe and a hoverboard was stolen from the home.
• Dec. 26, 2014: A Pine Drive home in Woodbury was entered through an open garage door at 1:30 a.m. A Coach handbag and two sets of Galaxy lights were stolen from the home.

Stewart was charged with seven counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree assault with intent to cause physical injury to an officer. Maben was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

They were arraigned Sunday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Images via NCPD