Monthly Crime Report: Street Robberies & Copper Theft Continue to Trend

One of the top crime trends in the First Precinct during January continued to be in which assailants steal valuable mobile devices such as smartphones and iPods.

Another trend, according to police, continues to be home burglaries, with burglars looking for copper pipe in vacant homes.

That's according to the latest monthly crime report from Suffolk Police First Precinct given at its February 2 community meeting.

First Precinct Inspector Gerard Gigante stated that there were 22 total robberies in the precinct this month. He also further explained the robbery trend.

Most of these incidents, he said, were what police characterize as strong-arm incidents. In those situations, he said, a robber uses a weapon, or the threat of a weapon, to steal property. Cell phones and iPods continue to be the hot targets, according to police.

Gigante also offered community leaders in attendance insight into the differences between a burglary and a robbery.

The definition of a robbery: An incident in which a criminal takes property in a confrontational manner with or without the use of a weapon.

The definition of a burglary: An incident in which a person breaks into a residence or business with the intent to commit a crime such as stealing property.

The criminal degree of either act depends on whether or not a weapon and confrontation takes place, and is considered a felony charge, he explained.

Gigante went on to say that there were also several cases in which urns at nearby cemeteries were stolen, while the theft of manhole covers has ebbed a bit.

Both crimes are typically the work of drug users looking for quick cash, police explained.

First Precinct Inspector Gerard Gigante then provided specific crime stats for Lindenhurst and the surrounding Town of areas the month of January.

By the Numbers
Robberies: 22
Lindenhurst: 4
North Lindenhurst: 0
Babylon: 1
West Babylon: 4

Stolen Vehicles: 15
Lindenhurst: 0
North Lindenhurst: 0
Babylon: 0
West Babylon: 1

Burglaries: Police closed six burglaries cases during the month
Lindenhurst: 0
North Lindenhurst: 2 residential
Babylon: 0
West Babylon 8 residential, 1 commercial burglary

In terms of car crashes, First Precinct police said that there were 559 during the month of January with 43 injuries and 72 incidents in which drivers left the scene

Police also made 19 DWI arrests during the month of January.

According to the First Precinct, the notable incident of the month was a shooting at Maggie’s Bar in West Babylon in which a man was shot twice in his left calf. Police said the victim was an older Blood gang member, and wasn't cooperative in providing details of the incident and drove himself to the hospital.

On January 31 Suffolk First Precinct officers also conducted a parole violation sweep of a newly arrived convicted felon in Babylon who'd taken up residence on Yacht Road.

Robert Geiger, 40, was a convicted drug dealer had moved in just a week prior, and was found to be in violation of parole for having cocaine, oxycodone, a loaded .22 caliber handgun and hypothermic needles in his home, according to police.

Every month the First Precinct holds a monthly community meeting, and provides residents and local civic organizations insight on recent crimes, current trends and any new information relating to the Suffolk Police Department (SCPD).

The next meeting will be held at the beginning of March at the precinct, which is located on Route 109.