By:Angela Marshall
Businesses and residences were hit hard last week, with eight burglaries reported in Rockville Centre. Village police, aided by a Nassau County K-9 unit, were able to make one arrest, their third within the last few weeks.
After a manhunt on Saturday, Andrew J. Greenafage, 38, of Massapequa was arrested and charged with second-degree burglary.
A Cedar Avenue couple returning home Saturday afternoon spotted a man fleeing their house. The husband gave chase but stopped when he thought he saw the man display a handgun. Police surrounded the area and Greenafage was found, hiding in bushes on Hempstead Avenue, by K-9 dog "Dan" and his partner, Officer Loughlin.
Previously, Rockville Centre police arrested Joel Anderson of Central Islip on Aug. 7 and Thomas T. Tucker of Freeport on Aug. 8 for allegedly attempting to burglarize village homes.
There were three other home burglaries last week. Jewelry was stolen from a residence on Loch Path between 8:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28 after entry was gained through an unlocked window.
Silverware was stolen from a DeMott Avenue residence between 12:30 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28 after forced entry was gained through the house's wooden cellar doors.
A jewelry box and assorted jewelry were stolen from a Milton Court residence between 10:30 a.m. and 10:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30. Entry was made through a first-floor window.
Despite the several home burglaries last week, there have been far fewer overall this summer than last year, Lt. James Kraemer said. However, he said, "Even one is too many."
Rockville Centre businesses were also a prime target last week, with four commercial break-ins.
Two cash boxes, reportedly containing $300, were stolen from the Rockville Residence Manor, 50 Maine Ave., between 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24 and 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 27. According to police, entry was made through an unlocked window.
A cash register, said to contain $5,000, was taken from the Creative Child Clothing Store on Sunrise Highway between 9 p.m. Aug. 30 and 7 a.m. Aug. 31.
Two restaurants were also hit. A cash register reported containing approximately $150 was taken from Barbino's Pizza on Merrick Road at about 11:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3 after a glass side door was smashed in. New China Sea reported it lost approximately $100 when the lock of its front door was forced open between 2:55 and 3:10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29.
Kraemer said there might be a connection between the burglaries at Creative Child Clothing Store and Barbino's Pizza because most burglars do not take cash registers. He said that before a connection could be confirmed, though, both cases required further evaluation.
