A Shirley man has been arrested and charged in connection with a series of burglaries targeting seven businesses across Bay Shore, Central Islip, and Brentwood over the past three weeks, Suffolk County Police said.
According to police, officers arrested Joseph Porter, 36, at approximately 1:56 p.m. Tuesday at a residence on Palm Place in Bay Shore following an investigation by Third Squad detectives and Third Precinct Investigative Unit officers.
Police said Porter allegedly broke into two Bay Shore businesses — Winnie’s Coffee Shop on East Main Street and NAPA Auto Parts-Budshore Auto Parts on Union Boulevard — between 3:20 and 3:40 a.m. on January 14. Investigators say the suspect used heavy objects to break glass doors or windows to gain entry.
Detectives later linked Porter to additional burglaries, charging him with seven counts of third-degree burglary for incidents at J&S Wine Cellar & Liquor in Central Islip, Pita & Pizza and Super Taco in Brentwood, Pine Aire Fish & Chips in Bay Shore, and Exit 42 Deli in Bay Shore.
Porter was also charged with petit larceny for allegedly stealing merchandise from a Home Depot location in Central Islip on January 14.
Porter, who resides on Manor Drive in Shirley, is being held overnight and is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday, February 4, at First District Court in Central Islip.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Third Squad detectives at 631-854-8352.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
