Police Warn Of Possible North Shore Burglary Ring

SANDS POINT, NY — Officials are warning of a burglary ring that is targeting multiple North Shore communities, including Sands Point.

Peter Forman, deputy mayor and chief police commissioner in Sands Point, issued an alert Thursday afternoon informing residents of multiple break-ins in recent months that Nassau County police detectives believe were carried out by the same group. In Sands Point, there were two successful burglaries this year, one on Prospect Lane in September and the most recent on Sunday night on Messenger Lane.

Similar break-ins were seen in Flower Hill, Kings Point and Kensington just two days after the Messenger Lane burglary, Forman said.

"The Sands Point break-ins follow a similar pattern, which according to the NCPD, is characteristic of most of the many other North Shore burglaries in recent months," he wrote.

In each case, the homeowners had gone out for dinner and didn't activate their burglar alarms. Police suspect the thieves spent only a few minutes in the homes ransacking the master bedroom for cash, jewelry and other easily accessible valuables.

Police urged residents to set alarms when they leave — even for short periods of time — leave lights, a radio or TV on when they leave, and ensure all doors to the outside doors are locked.

Sands Point police also noted that its seven license plate readers installed at certain key intersections are working properly and operate 24/7.

"They are very useful police tools most effective for identifying vehicles that have been stolen or unregistered/uninsured," Forman wrote.

He stressed that while this is an alert, residents should not consider the burglaries part of any "crime wave." On the contrary, Sands Point has one of the lowest crime rates in the area.

"Nevertheless, we have asked our police department to be more visible — especially in the short-run," he said.

Local police will also up efforts to legally stop cars, especially at certain hours, to help curb break-ins.