Burglars Accost Homeowner, Strike Him With Handgun, Try To Use Zip Ties: Police

EAST MORICHES, NY — Burglars who accosted an East Moriches homeowner, struck him with a handgun and attempted to cover his face with a hood and restrain him with zip ties have been arrested, police said.

According to Suffolk County Police, the attempted residential burglary took place on Sept. 15 at 1:05 a.m. on Evergreen Avenue; two of the three suspects accosted the homeowner, hitting him with the handgun and attempting to put a hood over him and use and the zip ties.

The suspects fled, but were quickly apprehended by officers from the Seventh Precinct and K9 section with assistance from the aviation section, police said.

Arrested and charged with first degree burglary, a felony, were Keith Etheridge, 33, of Shirley, Cedrick Bias, 31, of Centereach, and Edward Skidmore, 28, of Farmingville, police said.

"These arrests would not have been possible without the excellent police work and coordination of the responding officers," Suffolk County Police Chief of Department Stuart Cameron said. "This was an outstanding job by the Seventh Precinct, Canine Section and Aviation Section in taking three dangerous individuals off the street."

Photos, video courtesy of Suffolk County Police Department.