Thief, 18, Caught Trying To Steal From Vehicle In Wading River: Police

WADING RIVER, NY — An 18-year-old from Freeport was arrested after he was caught trying to steal from a vehicle parked in Wading River Friday, police said.

According to Riverhead Town police, the incident took place Friday at 2:41 a.m. when a 911 call came in about an unknown male trying to remove items from the vehicle, which was parked at a residence on Herod Point Road.

When police arrived in the area, a white SUV fled the scene and a male, Malachi Sweatte, 18, fled on foot, police said.

A Riverhead Town police K-9 unit subsequently located Sweatte hiding in the exterior basement stairwell of a residence on Cliff Road West, police said.

Sweatte was arrested and charged with trespass, police said. He was later charged with three counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, credit cards; and one count of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a New York State driver's license, police said. Sweatte was processed and held for arraignment at Riverhead Town Justice Court, police said.

The investigation is active and ongoing by the Riverhead Town police department's detective division.

Any witnesses are urged to contact the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500 or the department's crime hotline at 631-727-3333. All calls will be kept confidential.