Nassau Man Swiped Over $40K In Jewels, Electronics From Walmarts: Cops

HEMPSTEAD, NY — A Hempstead man is accused of swiping over $40,000 of jewelry and $3,000 of electronics, using a specialized tool to open locked display cases at Walmart stores throughout Suffolk County, police said.

Jonathan Sunderland, 34, was found following a coordinated investigation by 4th, 6h and 7th squad detectives at Morris County Jail in New Jersey where he was held on similar charges brought by the Boonton Township Police Department, according to police.

Fugitive Unit detectives traveled to New Jersey just after noon and placed Sunderland into custody just after noon on Monday, police said. He was charged with three counts of third-degree grand larceny for three instances, police said, adding that he stole over $16,000 worth of jewelry from Walmart on Veterans Memorial Highway in Islandia on Sept. 26, 2022.

He is also accused of stealing over $25,000 worth of jewelry from Walmart on Middle Country Road in Centereach on Nov. 6, 2022, and for stealing over $3,000 worth of electronics from Walmart on Boulevard East in Yaphank on Nov. 10, 2022, police said.

Sunderland was remanded to the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Yaphank. He will be arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip on Tuesday.

Anyone who believes they could be a victim is asked to call 6th squad detectives at 631- 854-8652.