Suffolk County, NY - February 24, 2015 - Suffolk County Police have arrested three men responsible for numerous cell phone store burglaries that occurred in Suffolk County in January and February 2015.
Detectives began investigating an identified county crime pattern of cell phone store burglaries. As part of the investigation police officers and detectives from numerous commands throughout Suffolk County were assigned to conduct surveillance at known vulnerable locations.
On February 22, at R & K Verizon Wireless, located at 420 Montauk Highway, West Islip, Fourth Squad Detective William Berhalter working surveillance, observed three men enter the store by smashing the front window with a sledge hammer at approximately 3:15 a.m. Once inside the men stole electronic devices. As they exited the store, the three suspects noticed the detective and fled on foot. Canine Officer John Mallia and his dog, located two of the suspects in a back yard on Sequams Lane in West Islip. Numerous officers assisted and arrested Alexander Cintron and David Potter.
Following an investigation, Lourriston Potter, David Potter’s brother was arrested on February 23.
Alexander Cintron, 31, of Bohemia, was charged with four counts of Burglary 3rd Degree. David Potter, 37, of Bohemia was charged with five counts of Burglary 3rd Degree and Resisting Arrest. Lourriston Potter, 35, of Brentwood, was charged with three counts of Burglary 3rd Degree.
Detectives from the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Precincts charged the men with the burglaries that occurred on the following dates and locations:
- January 31, Verizon Wireless, 534 Route 111 Hauppauge
- February 5, Wireless One Cellular, 5980 Jericho Turnpike, Commack
- February 8, Verizon Wireless, 31 North Main Street, Sayville
- February 8, Verizon Wireless, 2002 Jericho Turnpike Commack
- February 22, R & K Verizon Wireless, 420 Montauk Highway, West Islip
In all the burglaries, the arrestees broke a window with a sledge hammer and stole electronic devices. The men are also being investigating for several similar cell phone store burglaries throughout the county.
Cintron and David Potter have been arraigned and are currently in the Yaphank Correctional Facility. Lourriston Potter is being held at the Second Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on February 25.
