2 Charged In Vehicle Theft At Farmingdale Chick-Fil-A: Police

FARMINGDALE, NY — Two Farmingdale residents were arrested Thursday in connection with stealing the car of a Farmingdale Chick-fil-A employee, Suffolk police said.

The employee of Chick-fil-A, at 1991 Broadhollow Road, left their car keys to a 2014 Chevrolet Traverse on a table in the dining area around 6:55 p.m. May 28, police said. Another employee asked a customer, Jeffrey Dowling, 39, if they were his keys, police said. Dowling said yes and stole the vehicle with his accomplice, Stacy Basso, 36.

Dowling and Basso were arrested at an East Farmingdale business around 4:10 p.m. Thursday after detectives determined they stole the car, police said.

Dowling and Basso had drugs on them at the time of the arrest, police said. The vehicle was recovered at Avalon Court Drive in Melville and returned to the owner, police said.

Dowling and Basso were each charged with third-degree grand larceny and seventh-degree possession of a controlled substance.

Dowling will be held at the First Precinct and Basso will be held at the 4th Precinct and scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on Friday.