3rd Arrest After $599K In Vandalism Found At Shelter Island Home: PD

SHELTER ISLAND, NY — A third individual has been arrested after at least five individuals burglarized a Shelter Island home and caused almost $599,000 in damage, police said.

According to Shelter Island police, on July 23 at 9:30 a.m., Christian M. Stepalovitch, 19, of Sayville, was arrested and charged with second-degree burglary and second-degree criminal mischief. He was released on supervised probation with no bail, police said.

Earlier, on July 9,two arrests were made, police said: Joshua L. Capobianco, 18, and John M. Schuster, 18, both of Sayville, were arrested and charged with second-degree burglary and second-degree criminal mischief, police said. They were released without bail to their parents, police said.

Police said the incident took place around April 12, 2023. The individuals are believed to have made unlawful entry into two homes in the Silver Beach section of Shelter Island, police said. Extensive damage and vandalism were discovered, with damage to one of the affected homes totaling $598,885.79, police said.

The arrests were part of a continuing investigation spanning the past 14 months, conducted by the Shelter Island Town Police Department in collaboration with the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office's major crime bureau, technical services unit, and crime strategies office, as well as the Suffolk County Police Department, Crime Stoppers of Suffolk County, SUNY Police at Oneonta, and other law enforcement agencies, police said.

The investigation remains active, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call Shelter Island Police at 631-749-0600 or email townpolice@shelterislandtown.gov.