Police: torch-wielding suspect broke into store

A person broke into an East Meadow fast food restaurant by using a torch last week, police said.

First Squad officials and volunteers from the East Meadow Fire Department arrived at the scene of the crime just after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8. They said an unknown person used a torch to get inside of Burger King, located at 2450 Hempstead Turnpike.

According to detectives, the suspect broke through the back door of the restaurant using a torch. Once inside, the suspect tried to open the store’s safe, again by using a torch. The person started a fire in the process, causing Burger King’s alarms to sound.

The store was closed when the incident occurred, police noted, and they did not say that the building was extensively damaged. Nothing was taken, and the suspect fled the scene.

Detectives said there is no description of the suspect available at this time. They request that anyone with information regarding this crime contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.