Northport Police Sergeant Recounts Burglary Arrest

Sixteen-year-old Jose Nunez-Garcia, of Dickinson Avenue, East Northport, was charged with five counts of burglary in the third degree and with criminal possession of burglary tools after he was discovered by a canine unit inside in the early morning hours of Sunday.

Northport Police Sergeant Michael Cook said that Village Physical Therapy was robbed Saturday night. Hence, owner Billy Burns closed up a broken window with plywood.

The next night, Cook was on patrol and did a check on the Fort Salonga Road business, located in between and

"I noticed that there was a duffel bag resting on the window sill of the window that had been smashed out the night before, and the plywood had been moved to the side," Cook said. "So it was clear that someone had made entry."

Upon discovering this, Cook quickly called for backup from Northport police and he and his fellow officer secured the perimeter.

Cook also contacted the Suffolk County police to request a canine unit, which arrived within minutes.

Burns also was contacted and arrived soon after to open the front door using his keys.

The canine unit located Nunez-Garcia inside a walk-in refrigerator in the basement of Northport Village Therapy.

"I'm just guessing but I believe I interrupted him leaving the building," Cook said. "When I pulled around the back, all of a sudden he saw the lights and ran downstairs, leaving the duffle bag by the window."

Cook said that he was pleased that the suspect was apprehended peacefully and that it can be chalked up to team work.

"There was no resisting. Nobody got hurt. The way we situated ourselves worked out and Suffolk County was able to enhance it. I'm very happy we took him off the streets he was causing a lot of trouble," Cook said.

Cook said that Nunez-Garcia did have a bag full of "burglar tools" and police also recovered a lap top that was missing from Village Physical Therapy, an iPod, and some coins.

He added that police believe not only did Nunez-Garcia burglar or attempt to burglar the therapist three times, he also is being charged with other recent robberies including that of and

He was due in court Wedneday following an arraignment Monday, but had not been brought in by 2:30 p.m.

Court records say his bail was continued and he is due back April 8.