Suffolk Man Admits Part In Series Of Dunkin' Burglaries: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY — A Patchogue man pleaded guilty on Friday to third-degree burglary in connection with his part of a trio that burglarized five Dunkins across Brookhaven Town in 2022, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney’s office said.

Between Dec. 28 and Jan. 20, Christopher Volpe, 44, burglarized five Dunkins with co-defendants Michael Gruber, 54, of Medford, and Kristen Osmolia, 52, of Holbrook, according to prosecutors.

Gruber drove Volpe and Osmolia to and from each of the burglary locations, prosecutors said, adding, that once there, Volpe pried open the back doors of the locations while the businesses were closed, and stole money from cash drawers, boxes, and safes.

During the last three burglaries, Osmolia acted as a lookout, and assisted with stealing money from inside one of the locations, prosecutors said.

Dunkins burglarized include locations in East Setauket, Saint James, Smithtown, Holbrook, and Farmingville, according to prosecutors.

Investigators with Suffolk police linked Gruber’s 2019 Chevrolet Equinox to each of the burglaries and apprehended the defendants in the moments following their last heist in Farmingville on Jan. 20, prosecutors said.

In total, Volpe, Gruber, and Osmolia collectively stole around $6,500 from all five locations. Of that total, around $4,500 was recovered after the defendants’ arrests, according to prosecutors.
Noting Volpe’s admission, Tierney said, “he’s going to face justice.”

“These types of crimes not only violate the law, but they also negatively affect our quality of life in Suffolk County,” he said. “Businesses that are repeatedly targeted, either leave neighborhoods or raise their prices and this inevitably impacts the quality of life in our communities across Suffolk County.”

Volpe pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree burglary and five counts of third-degree burglary. Volpe is due back in court on Oct. 13 for sentencing.

He is expected to be sentenced to 5 to 10 years in prison.

Patch has reached out to his attorney, Anthony Rutkowski of Mattituck, for comment.

Gruber, who was charged with five counts of third-degree burglary and pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree burglary on May 31.

He is awaiting sentencing.

Patch has reached out to his attorney, Robert Dapelo of Patchogue, for comment.

Osmolia is charged with three counts of third-degree burglary and is being held on $250,000 cash bail, $500,000 fully insured bond, and a $1 million partially secured surety bond.

Her attorney, Steven Wilutis of Miller Place, could also not be reached for comment. Her next court date is Sept. 13.