2 Men Break Into Multiple Nassau Businesses Since April: Police

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Two Queens men have been arrested in connection to a string of burglaries in Nassau County.

Hector Portilla, 60, and Diego Ercoli, 50, were caught burglarizing Bagel Chalet in Merrick this week.

A subsequent investigation revealed they were responsible for 18 additional burglaries:

1. April 20: TLC Family Cleaners, 1519 Jericho Tpke., New Hyde Park
2. April 20: Ultra Gas Station, 1501 Jericho Tpke., New Hyde Park
3. July 11: Great Deli, 573 Atlantic Ave., Oceanside
4. July 11: LJ Nails, 575 Atlantic Ave., Oceanside
5. July 25: Mineola Laundromat, 213 Mineola Blvd.
6. July 26: Tandoor, 459 South Broadway, Hicksville
7. July 26: Good Rx Pharmacy, 459 South Broadway, Hicksville
8. July 28: Little Tulip Daycare Center, 294A Hillside Ave., Williston Park
9. July 28: Mr. jay Appliance, 294 Hillside Ave., Williston Park
10. July 28: Harry's Pharmacy, 333 S. Broadway, Hicksville
11. July 28: Prestige Dental Care, 333 S. Broadway, Hicksville
12. July 29: LI Deli Grocery, 151 Levittown Parkway, Hicksville
13. July 31, Rangoli Beauty Salon, 661 Old Country Rd., Plainview

They are also charged in connection to five commercial burglaries in Lynbrook.

Both men face 19 counts of third-degree burglary.

Portilla has prior arrests for petit larceny, forgery and grand larceny. Ercoli has a rap sheet that includes arrests for burglary, riot, conspiracy, reckless endangerment and assault. Ercoli is on federal probation, authorities said.

They were scheduled for arraignment on Friday.