Paumanack Village, NY - March 31, 2015 - Suffolk County Police have arrested two people and charged them with a hate crime for burglarizing an elderly woman.
Second Precinct officers responded to a 911 call reporting that two subjects claiming to be collecting donations for a church gained access to an elderly woman’s apartment and stole property from the resident. Police Officers Frank Muoio and Todd Regan located the subjects, Heather Marchese and Sean DiStefano within the apartment complex and placed them under arrest. Marchese, 23, undomiciled and DiStefano, 24, of Shoreham, were charged with Second Degree Burglary as a Hate Crime. Marchese was also charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree and Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument. Both were arraigned this morning at First District Court in Central Islip.
An investigation by Second Squad Detectives indicates there may be other victims and that the subjects targeted elderly residents. The Suffolk County Police Hate Crimes Unit is assisting in the investigation.
Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by the subjects is asked to call Suffolk County Hate Crimes at 631-852-6323.