By Kimberly Acevedo
While questioning the suspect, Det. Howard Domitz said, Ronald Helsel, Jr., 36, of Long Beach, confessed to eight recent burglaries in Long Beach.
Helsel, of 351 West Market St., was charged with eight counts of Burglary, a class C felony, on Thursday, Dec, 6., and was then charged by Nassau Police in eight additional home burglaries.
Domitz said Helsel confessed to a string of house burglaries in Long Beach and eight others are being investigated in neighboring towns including two in Island Park, two in Oceanside, one in Lynbrook, one in Malverne and two in Valley Stream. He was arraigned on Dec. 6 and faces 8 1/3 to 15 years if convicted. The burglaries occurred during November and early December.
For three weeks, Domitz and Det. Shaun Dowling were investigating the burglary spree, which appeared to be by the same person, Domitz said. They got their break when a suspect began using a credit card, allegedly stolen from one of the houses, at various gas stations throughout Long Beach. In one of the gas stations, a surveillance camera filmed the suspect using an allegedly stolen credit card. Detectives were able to take a still photo from the camera, Domitz said.
Domitz and Dowling circulated the suspect's photo through the Long Beach Police Department, hoping to get his ID. Later that night, Sgt. Gregory Salter saw Helsel, who he believed fit the description of the photo. After leaving 7-Eleven on Long Beach Road, Helsel was questioned and shown the photo. Police said he admitted that he was the person in the photo. Salter asked Helsel to voluntarily come to the station to speak with Burglary Unit Det. Domitz.
Police allege that Helsel stole a variety of items, including jewelry, cash, electronics equipment, clothes and cologne. Domitz said Helsel admitted to selling the stolen property on the streets in Long Beach, Freeport, Brooklyn and New Jersey.
I don't think he is going to see the streets for years, the detective said.
Detectives said they believe Helsel had no accomplices. Very little proceeds were recovered.
I'm happy that some victims will have closure, Domitz said. Just knowing that the person was arrested is a relief.
