By KIMBERLY ACEVEDO
In Nassau County, police are investigating over 50 burglary connections, Nassau County First Squad Police Lieutenant Andrew Fal said. But, in the tri-state area, he said, they are investigating nearly 200 possible burglary connections.
Brown was arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 8:20 p.m. at the mother of his two children's house in Brooklyn by Nassau County police officials and the U.S. Marshal New York-New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force. Brown was charged with one count of first-degree burglary, 13 counts of second-degree burglary and two counts of attempted second degree burglary, Fal said.
With the 16 new charges--including six in Merrick, three in Lynbrook, one Woodmere and Rockville Centre--Brown was arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Thursday, Sept. 26 and held without bail. Brown also faces two counts of second-degree burglary in Long Beach from 1996 and was arraigned on those charges on Friday, Sept. 27, and held without bail.
It was fingerprints during two 1996 "pick" apartment burglaries in Long Beach, Long Beach Police Burglary Unit Det. Howard Domitz said, that identified Brown as the suspect. During that time, Domitz said, Brown became a suspect in numerous burglaries in the area.
If convicted, Brown could face up 25 years for first-degree burglary--a B felony, up to 15 years for second-degree burglary--a C felony and up to 7 years for attempted second-degree burglary--a B felony, police said.
Police have been searching for Brown, also known as Richard Powell, Arthur Brown, Richrad Powell, Clarence Scott, Clarence Sott, Hollis Clarence Noel and Riche Powell, since 1998. According to Nassau County Assistant District Attorney and the Nassau County Contact for the United States Marshal Task Force Roxanne Paquette, when evidence linked Brown to the two Long Beach burglaries, police began their search.
Brown's prior convictions include second-degree burglary, a C felony, and was sentenced to 18 to 54 months in 1982, Paquette said. According to Paquette, Brown was also convicted in 1986 for attempted criminal possession of a deadly weapon, an E felony, and was sentenced to four years in prison. After serving part of his sentence, Brown was released on parole, Paquette said.
Currently, Brown has federal warrants for unrelated crimes pending from Levittown, Queens and Bergen and Kings County, Paquette said.
Traveling by car, Brown allegedly burglarized apartments and co-ops, police said. Brown would allegedly pick the locks and in some cases, police said, the victims were unaware of the burglary at the time.
"While people were out making a living, he robbed during the day," Fal said. "He was pretty careful."
Other than "good old-fashioned police work at its best," Paquette said she couldn't comment on the investigation.
When police arrested Brown, they found assorted high-end jewelry and approximately $10,000 in his possession. Brown also had his bags packed, Paquette said.
"He is a fugitive that was trying to avoid apprehension," Paquette said.
On average, Brown allegedly stole $3,000 worth of jewelry, credit cards and cash, Fal said.
And officials said they are continuing the investigation for additional accomplices.
In Long Beach, Brown allegedly burglarized two apartments in 1996. In one apartment, he allegedly stole a $9,000 diamond ring, a $1,000 ring band and a $5,000 wristwatch, Paquette said. During the other burglary, Brown allegedly stole a $2,500 watch, a $2,500 ring and similar items with the first burglary, she added.
According to police, Brown allegedly sold the stolen items on the street or in a second-hand shop.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Nassau County Police Department, the Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon, the United States Marshal Task Force, and the Long Beach, Westchester County, Rockland County and New York City Police Departments. But, it was Nassau County's First Squad Detective Anthony Bonkowski who coordinated the information that ultimately led to Brown's arrest.
After Brown's arrest Paquette believes that "Nassau County is a little safer."
