By JOSEPH KELLARD
Shane Long, 26, of Pennsylvania Ave., and Daniel Bellinger, 23, of Delaware Ave., were arrested on Jan. 10 after Long was caught burglarizing an Amaco gas station, 4096 Austin Blvd.
According to detectives, arresting Officer Edward Boden of the Fourth Precinct received a radio assignment for an alarm at Euro Fronts, 4 Saratoga Blvd. While Boden was inspecting the carpentry shop, he heard a noise in the adjacent building.
Upon further investigation, Boden and other police officers assisting at the scene, found Long at 1:20 a.m. Shortly after Long's arrest, Bellinger was arrested at his home, said Fourth Precinct Sergeant John Azzata.
"They broke into the carpentry shop to get the tools for the second burglary at the gas station," Azzata said.
Long and Bellinger were charged with burglary in the third degree and are suspected of burglarizing approximately 30 other businesses in Island Park, Oceanside, Freeport and Valley Stream, some of which they are suspected of hitting twice, Azatta said.
"There is an indication that these two individuals were involved in all of these other burglaries that occurred with a similar modus of operation," Azzata said. "The burglaries that [the suspects] were arrested for that night fit the pattern that have been occurring since before November of last year."
Since September, Island Park businesses such as Clay-Time Indoor Tennis, 70 Long Beach Rd., Coyote Grill, 104 Waterview Rd., and A & T Garden Center were broken into twice or more.
On Saturday, Oct. 20, between 1 and 8 a.m., 24/7 Glass Store Front, 4216 Austin Blvd., was burglarized after an aluminum section of its front door was pushed in and alarm wires were cut. The burglar used tools from the shop to try to break a hole in the wall that adjoins another business, CJ & Vinnies Auto Repair Shop, but neither establishment reported any losses.
Police declined to name the businesses that Long and Bellinger are suspected in burglarizing.
"Our investigation is ongoing and if we come across any other burglaries that we think they did, they certainly will be charged," Azzata said.
