By Patrick Donachie
A Staten Island man was indicted for allegedly burglarizing six locations throughout Queens, stealing significant amounts of cash, lottery tickets and cigarettes, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
“The defendant is accused of brazenly burglarizing various businesses by literally breaking into the buildings – creating holes in rooftops and/or walls to get inside,” Brown said. “The commercial locations – grocery stores and bodegas in various Queens neighborhoods – allegedly had more than $40,000 in cash and merchandise stolen.”
Hector Rodriguez, 38, of New Brighton in Staten Island was arraigned Dec. 27 on counts of burglary, grand and petit larceny, criminal mischief and attempted burglary, the DA said. Brown said Rodriguez is charged with breaking into six different commercial locations between Oct. 8, 2015 and Sept. 15, 2016, all within Queens. Rodriguez allegedly cut holes through the roofs of the establishments or broke a hole into the back walls of the building.
The establishments were located in Queens Village, Woodside, Jackson Heights, North Corona and Jamaica. Brown said Rodriguez was seen on video surveillance at the break-ins wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sneakers while carrying a crowbar and a flashlight.
Rodriguez was arraigned before Acting Queens Supreme Court Justice Toko Serita with bail set at $100,000. He was ordered to appear in court March 8. Rodriguez faces up to seven years in prison if he is convicted.
Reach reporter Patrick Donachie by e-mail at pdona
