The Burglary Pattern Squad reports the arrest of a homeless man for a Burglary that occurred on Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 12:40 A.M. in East Meadow.
According to detectives, defendant Thomas Briel, 45, did throw a brick through the glass doors of Twisted Smoke Shop, located at 347 Merrick Avenue in order to gain access inside and removed multiple boxes of cigarettes before fleeing.
Upon police arrival, a review of the stores security camera allowed for a description of the subject to be collected and defendant Thomas Briel was located in Hempstead a short time later and placed under arrest. Upon further investigation, defendant Thomas Briel was found to be responsible for six additional burglaries that had all occurred in Hempstead, the dates and locations of the offenses are:
- July 2, 2019 - Family Dollar Store - 215 Front Street
- July 4, 2019 – Family Dollar Store - 80 Clinton Street
- July 5, 2019 – Family Dollar Store - 80 Clinton Street
- July 7, 2019 – Family Dollar Store - 80 Clinton Street
- July 10, 2019 – Main Street Mini Mart - 28 Main Street
- July 20, 2019 – Family Dollar Store - 80 Clinton Street
Defendant Thomas Briel is charged with seven counts of Burglary 3rd degree. He will be arraigned on Monday, July 22, 2019 at First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.