Suffolk Couple Banked On Coronavirus In Burglaries: Police

BAY SHORE, NY — Two people were arrested Tuesday in connection with a host of business burglaries throughout Suffolk County in March and April, Suffolk County police said.

Police said the duo believed they could get away with the burglaries because officers were preoccupied with the new coronavirus crisis, Suffolk County police said. Officer pulled over the couple in a Hyundai Santa Fe that fit the description of a vehicle seen in the burglaries, police said.

Officers arrested Joseph Porter, 31, of Mastic Beach, and Rebecca Wood, 23, of Lake Ronkonkoma, on Spur Drive North in Bay Shore at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday.

Porter told detectives he was aware of the law enforcement challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and thought he would be able to commit the burglaries without being arrested, police said.

Porter and Wood were charged in connection with burglaries at the following places:

• Parkway Express on 1460 Brentwood Rd. in Bay Shore on March 9
• OK Petroleum on 221 W. Main St. in Bay Shore on March 26
• Cold Spring Harbor Garage on 405 Main St. in Cold Spring Harbor on March 31
• USA Auto on 62 Bay Shore Rd. in West Islip on March 31
• Sunoco on 341 West Jericho Tpk. on April 1
• Exxon on 323 Middle Country Rd. in Smithtown on April 1
• BP on 303 Maple Ave. in Smithtown on April 2
• Valero on 255 Montauk Hwy. in West Sayville on April 3
• Valero on 1628 Montauk Hwy. in Oakdale on April 5
• Gulf on 1979 Veterans Memorial Hwy. in Islandia on April 7
• Bolla Mobile on 1670 Veterans Memorial Hwy. in Islandia on April 7

In addition, Porter was accused of burglarizing Bohemia Car Wash on 4740 Sunrise Hwy. in Bohemia March 29, police said.

"Suffolk County Police officers have increased patrols to focus on businesses that could be targeted by criminals during this pandemic," Commissioner Geraldine Hart said. "These arrests should send a message to those looking to profit during this crisis—we are out in force and anyone who preys upon businesses and/or residents will be arrested. This is a challenging time for the residents of Suffolk County but the department remains focused on our top priority, to keep our residents safe."

Porter was charged with 10 counts of third-degree burglary, two counts of third-degree attempted burglary and one count seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Wood was charged with nine counts of third-degree burglary and two counts of third-degree attempted burglary.

Porter and Wood were held overnight at the Fourth Precinct. They are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Wednesday.