Duo Set Fires At PSEG Stations To Distract Cops As Part Of Burglaries Across Suffolk: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY — Two Suffolk men have been indicted in connection with a series of three intentionally set fires, as well as burglaries across the county, District Attorney Ray Tierney said Tuesday.

Between Aug. 20, 2023, and February 9, 2024, Frank Costa, 54, of Port Jefferson Station, and Jon Pucci, 29 of Middle Island, burglarized nine businesses and set fires at three PSEG Long Island substations, prosecutors said, adding that they believed the fires would cause power outages in the local community, which would distract law enforcement while they committed the burglaries.

On Feb, 10, at around midnight, police detectives followed the duo to a PSEGLI easement in Centereach and placed them under arrest, prosecutors said.

While police searched the location, they discovered an ATM that was stolen from a Shell
Gas Station in Ridge the day before and money from the ATM was found in the duo's
pockets after their arrest, according to prosecutors.

“These alleged criminal acts have not only caused extensive damage, but have also put the lives of Suffolk County residents and first responders at risk,” Tierney said.

"I think the Suffolk County Police Department for their thorough investigation of this case. Now, my office will ensure that these defendants are held accountable for their alleged extremely dangerous crimes.”

The men set fires at substations in Terryville, Centereach Substation, and the Medford/West Yaphank area

The burglaries included:

• Dec. 11, 2023 – USA Gas, 1146 Middle Country Rd., Middle Island.
• Dec. 26, 2023 – USA Gas, 1146 Middle Country Rd., Middle Island.
• Dec. 26, 2023 – BP Gas, 1470 Middle Country Rd., Ridge.
• Dec.29, 2023 – Gulf Gas, 240 West Main St., Smithtown.
• Dec. 31, 2023 – BP Gas, 3200 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Bohemia.
• Jan. 12, 2024 – Ideal Food Basket, 500 Jefferson Plaza, Port Jefferson.
• Jan. 12, 2024 – DJM Laundromat, 1 Glenmere Ln., Coram.
• Jan. 24, 2024 – Back Country Deli, 70 Horseblock Rd., Yaphank.
• Jan. 30, 2024 – Kings Park Car Care, 189 Main St., Kings Park.
• Feb. 9, 2024 – Shell Gas Station, 1511 Middle Country Rd., Ridge.

Costa and Pucci were charged with one count of first-degree criminal possession of a weapon, nine counts of third-degree burglary, three counts of second-degree criminal mischief, one count of third-degree attempted burglary, one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, and three counts of fifth-degree arson.

Costa was ordered held on $150,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $1million partially-secured bond during the pendency of the case and is due back in court on March 19.

Contact information for his attorney, Roger Rothman, was not immediately available.

Pucci, whose case is pending, is due back in court on March 12.

In a statement to Patch, his attorney, Pierre Brazile of Huntington, said a not guilty plea was entered.

“We don’t have a comment at this time, and will defer to the judicial process,” he added.

In a statement, Long Island Power Authority officials said, "As the owner of Long Island’s electric grid, LIPA, together with our service provider, PSEG Long Island, takes seriously our responsibility to secure the critical infrastructure used to provide power to our 1.2 million customers across Long Island and the Rockaways. We are thankful to our partners in law enforcement for their work in investigating this incident and for obtaining an indictment in this matter.”