Sheriff’s Deputies have arrested a pair of men they believe are responsible for several burglaries at the Pine Tree Bungalow Colony on Route 42 in Monticello. Deputies were called to the location on April 30th, after a caretaker reported one of the units being broken into. The investigation revealed that the suspects attempted to disable a video security system and then kicked in a door to one of the units. The suspects stole furniture from the residence, which included a large dining room table and six chairs.
Deputies were able to salvage video of the suspects from the damaged surveillance system and print still pictures. “The lead Deputy on the case, Eric Breihof, then did some old fashioned police work”, said Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff. “He went door to door, canvassing the area around the crime scene”. It wasn’t long before one of the suspects, Michael Delong, felt the heat and contacted the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies discovered that Delong was on parole for burglary and was staying at the nearby Sleepy Hollow Apartment complex. Michael Delong, age 39, turned himself in on Tuesday (05/05/15) and admitted to committing the burglary. Later that afternoon Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Delong’s accomplice and roommate, Maximino Rosa, Jr. age 36. The stolen furniture was recovered from the pair’s apartment in Sleepy Hollow.
Deputies have investigated several burglaries at the Pine Tree Bungalows over the past few months. Items taken in those burglaries include power tools, appliances, air conditioners and heaters. “We are still trying to determine for sure whether or not the defendants are connected to those previous burglaries”, said the Sheriff.
Both men were arraigned before Fallsburg Town Judge Robert Scheinman who sent them to the Sullivan County Jail in Lieu of $25,000 bail each. They are due back in the Town of Thompson Court next week. The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 845-794-7100 or the confidential TIPS line at 845-807-0158. All calls will be kept confidential.
(YWN Sullivan County Newsroom)
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2 Responses
Thank G-d no one was hurt this time. There was an incident earlier this year near the yeshiva where that was not the case. Some of these home invaders show no regard for life. Luckily I was there and was able to offer medical assistance.
Just wait till the casinos get built this will be a common acurance, as crooks will look for anything to pawn off.