5 Arrested In Connection With Retail Thefts In Riverhead: Police

RIVERHEAD, NY — Police have made arrests recently in connection with a series of retail thefts in Riverhead, authorities said.

In response to the rise in retail theft in Riverhead, the Riverhead Police Department's crime control division and Riverhead Community-Oriented Police Enforcement unit have begun conducting operations with various retail stores, authorities said.

Utilizing undercover officers and store security, the Riverhead Police have conducted the investigations over several days and made five arrests, with 11 counts of petty larceny in total, authorities said.

Stores that have participated so far include Nike, Hollister, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Homesense, Five Below, Target, Old Navy, Sunglass Hut, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Victoria's Secret, Coach, Polo, and Home Goods, police said.

Five people were arrested, police said: A 43-year-old Flanders woman was arrested and charged with seven counts of petty larceny; a 29-year-old man from Brooklyn was arrested and charged with one count of petty larceny; a 21-year-old woman from Flanders was arrested and charged with one count of petty larceny; a 20-year-old Lake Grove woman was arrested and charged with petty larceny; and a 60-year-old Medford man was arrested and charged with one count of petty larceny, police said.

Any stores that wish to participate in future operations can contact the Riverhead Police Department's crime control division at 631-727-4500, Ext. 274.

"Riverhead police will continue to deploy undercover officers throughout the year in different stores to curtail the rise of retail theft in the town," authorities said.