Homeless Man Likely Burglarized Suffolk Church To Fuel Drug Habit: Police

WEST ISLIP, NY - A homeless man was arrested on Monday morning for burglarizing a West Islip church four times during the past three weeks to fuel a possible drug habit, according to Suffolk Police.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, located at 455 Hunter Avenue was burglarized between March 22 and March 29, during the morning of April 2, during the overnight hours of April 2 into April 3, and during the evening on April 9.

During the first three burglaries, donation money was stolen.

Following an investigation, police arrested 28-year-old Michael Fredericks was arrested at about 8 a.m., police said.

Police Commissioner Timothy D. Sini said at a press conference on Monday that Fredericks was arrested after police received a tip on their hotline from a member of the community.

According to Sini, Fredericks appears to be addicted to heroin and police believe he stole the money from the church to fuel his drug habit.

He is charged with four counts of third degree burglary, police said.

He was also arrested several times prior to Monday with two charges of seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a charge of second degree forgery and second degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, Sini said.

Fredericks will be held overnight at the Third Precinct and arraigned on Tuesday.