Grand Theft Auto came to life this week when the search for a man involved in various Long Island vehicle thefts and bank robberies was finally arrested. The suspect was detained by authorities in Buffalo and is currently being held by Suffolk County Police. During the week long spree, three cars were stolen and two banks were robbed.
Barry Napolitano, 44, of Northport, started on September 12 when he stole a Jeep from a garage at the Huntington Jeep dealership on 5080 Route 25 in Commack. Later that day Napolitano allegedly struck again when he robbed the Chase Bank on 120 Main Street in Port Jefferson.
Napolitano continued last Monday when he allegedly stole a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox from a Northport garage. Five hours later he struck again stealing a 2005 American IronHorse motorcycle a town over in East Northport.
The next day he took his spree to a Capital One Bank at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook. In order to take Napolitano down it took a collaboration between Suffolk County police, the U.S. Marshals Service, the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Force, and the New York State Police Violent Felony Warrant Squad
He was turned over to Suffolk County police at 11:25 p.m. on Friday after his arrest in Buffalo. He’s been charged with two counts of Robbery in the 3rd Degree by the Pattern Crime Unit for the two bank robberies, Burglary in the 2nd Degree, Burglary in the 3rd Degree, and Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree in connection to the alleged vehicle thefts.
Police say the investigation is still ongoing.
[Source: Suffolk County Police Department]