Crime Wave Hits Local Store Parking Lots

By Niall Fitzgerald

A summer crime wave of parking lot robberies is being conducted by a gang of four or five robbers at Costco parking lots.

The robbers - described as two women and two or three men - have hit cars at the Costco parking lots in Commack and Melville; and the Bed, Bath & Beyond in East Northport.

According to Suffolk Police, the robbers are breaking into cars, and taking newly-purchased merchandise from elderly shoppers. The robbers have stolen thousands of dollars in goods.

In some cases, there were two female suspects and a male suspect. One female suspect has been described as possibly pregnant. Another female was described as tall, thin, and nicely dressed.

One of the males was described as dark-skinned, between 5 feet 7 inches tall and 5 feet 8 inches tall.

The thefts occurred at the Costco at 125 Beacon Dr., Holbrook, on July 30 at 4PM; the Costco at 3000 Route 25, Nesconset, on July 30 at 2:33PM; the Costco at 10 Garrett Place, Commack, on July 21 at 2:38PM; the Costco at 625 Broadhollow Road, Melville, on July 21 at 12:45PM; the Bed, Bath & Beyond at 3083 Jericho Turnpike, East Northport, on July 21 at 1:30PM; the Costco at 625 Broadhollow Road, Melville, July 16 at 2:15PM; the Costco at 10 Garrett Place, Commack, on July 16 at 2:30PM; the Costco at 10 Garrett Place, Commack, on July 14 at 4:25PM; and the Costco at 625 Broadhollow Road, Melville, on July 14 at 2:30PM.

Suffolk Police have asked the public to call their Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-220-TIPS (8477).