By JEFF LIPTON
The suspects were identified as Richard Wolfe, 34, of Madison Street in Elmont and Laura Raven, 37, of Linden Street in Massapequa Park, investigators said. Both suspects were charged with seven counts of burglary in the third degree, officials said. Police said they are investigating whether the duo may be responsible for up to 20 break-ins last month.
The suspects were captured shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 20 when a passerby noticed the front window of Wardon's Deli, 3 Main Street in East Rockaway, had been smashed in and saw a man and a woman leaving the deli and driving away in a gold colored Saturn, detectives said.
The passerby called police and attempted to follow the pair, officials said. After a short time, the witness returned to the scene and gave police officers who responded to the call a description of the man and woman and the officers broadcast the information to other patrol units, detectives said.
About 15 minutes later, Fifth Precinct Police Officer Jeffrey Douglas observed the suspects' vehicle at Peninsula Boulevard and West Marshall Street in Hempstead. After an investigation, Wolfe and Raven were arrested and charged with the break-in at Wardon's Deli, authorities said.
Police said the pair allegedly broke into the deli by throwing a large rock or brick through the store window. They then removed the cash register with the store's proceeds inside and fled the scene, officials said.
A more extensive investigation jointly conducted by the First, Fourth, Fifth and Seventh Squads has resulted in additional burglary charges.
According to investigators, the suspects have been charged with committing burglaries at Village Deli, 140 Merrick Road in Lynbrook, on Dec. 14 and Food Mart, on Ocean Avenue in Lynbrook, on Dec. 18. They were also charged with break-ins at Lawson's Coffee Shop, 3207 Lawson Boulevard in Oceanside, on Dec. 15; Jack and Jill Stationery, 350 Hempstead Turnpike, in West Hempstead, on Dec. 12; Beverage Barn, 3341 Beltagh Avenue in Wantagh, on Dec. 19; and Beverage Barn, 4034 Sunrise Highway in Seaford, on Dec. 20, detectives said.
The suspects were arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Dec. 23, officials said.
