Woman Steals From Quogue Shop, Engages In Physical Struggle, Flees Scene: Police

QUOGUE, NY — A Westhampton Beach woman was arrested after stealing from a Quogue Village shop, engaging in a physical struggle with the shop owner, and fleeing the scene, police said.

According to Village of Quogue Police, on July 30 at about 11:52 a.m., Maria Guiterrez Monterrey was arrested and charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony; fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a Class A misdemeanor; fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a Class E felony; and two counts of petty larceny, a Class A misdemeanor.

Police said a call came in about 11:46 a.m. when a shop owner on Jessup Avenue reported a larceny in progress. She told officers that a woman stole U.S. currency from the register, police said. When the shop owner confronted her, a physical struggle ensued, police said.

Guiterrez Monterrey fled the scene on foot, police said. "Chaos and mayhem set in," when the woman ran out, the shop owner told Patch.

She added that police were on the scene immediately.

Officers saturated the area during the search and also interviewed the shop owner, police said. Guiterrez Monterrey also stole a purse from behind the counter that had the shop owner's credit card, keys and money inside, police said.

Guiterrez Monterrey was found hiding behind another business on Jessup Avenue by a juvenile who ran toward her and yelled, police said. That alerted nearby officers, Quogue detectives, and Quogue code enforcement; she was apprehended on Jessup Avenue behind Quogue Village Justice Court, police said.

A search was conducted by a Southampton Village Police K-9 unit, and several credit and club cards that belonged to the shop owner were found, police said.

Guiterrez was arrested and released on a desk appearance ticket, police said; she is slated for arraignment on August 4 at Quogue Justice Court, police said.

The case remains under active investigation, police said.

"I need my community to stand behind me until justice is served," the shop owner said.