Police: No new leads in two Massapequa house break-ins; residents remain vigilant
BY TRACY BONGIANNI

Massapequa community was shocked over two break-ins to homes July 12. While police have no new leads in the incidents, residents said they want more police presence.

Nassau County Police continue to investigate two break-ins that occurred in Massapequa July 12, one in which a resident was assaulted. To date they have no new leads in the cases however, according to Det. Robert Henry of the 7th Squad, but continue to work gathering information and talking to anyone who may have witnessed something. Henry also confirmed that a third burglary was attempted in the area that same night and that the incidents are not likely related since they occurred at approximately the same time a short distance apart.

Meanwhile, residents said they were shocked about the incidents that rocked this middle class neighborhood, and remain vigilant.

"I don't feel safe," said one 86-year-old resident who asked that his name not be used. He and his wife, also in her eighties, have lived in the same neighborhood since 1965. "This never happened before," he said.

The incidents took place on Bel Air Drive during the early morning hours. In one incident the thief or thieves pried open the rear window of a home at approximately 2:50 a.m., awakening a homeowner there. The intruders beat the homeowner in the face, demanding money and then moved to another bedroom where they kicked in the door, again demanding money.

Minutes before that incident, another burglary was reported at a home on Quail Run. In that incident a female victim reported being awakened in her bedroom by a subject who was shining a flashlight at her. When she screamed, the subject ran out the door. Upon checking the house, the victim told police she noticed her pocketbook was missing. There were no injuries reported in that incident. As in the other incident, however, the subject or subjects entered the home through a rear, unlocked window.

The subjects in the break at the Bel Air Drive home were described as a black, clean cut male in his late teens and a male who spoke with a Jamaican accent.

One resident said he is concerned about late-night loitering and drinking that is taking place in the Nassau Education Federal Credit Union parking lot of a bank in the area, suggesting that the incidents may be related.

"I'm not happy," said another resident. "No one patrols the area, and the only time I see the police is when they are sitting in their cars on Montauk Highway."

"This is terrible, we would like to see more police," agreed another woman. Police are asking that anyone with information on the cases to call them at 1-800-244-

TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous. Det. Henry can be reached at 573-6700.

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