GPS Thefts Characterize Growing Trend

By: Chris Mellides, Long Island Press.com

Suffolk County Police arrested two men on Wednesday afternoon who were allegedly stealing global positioning system (GPS) devices from cars in both Suffolk and Nassau counties. Second Precinct officers Kevin Quinn and Markus Rivera responded to a 911 call made by 21-year-old John Melgar of Brentwood at about 5 p.m. Melgar was sitting in his car eating M&M’s when he spotted two men in a Ford Contour trying to break into another car in the parking lot. The suspects began pulling at the car door handle before breaking a window and removing the vehicle’s GPS system, according to Melgar. Once police arrived, Melgar assisted officers in a search of the mall parking lot. After the search, authorities arrested 47-year-old John Hurtado of Providence, RI and 40-year-old Julian Zorilla of Corona, Queens and charged them each with one count of grand larceny, one count of petit larceny, two counts of criminal mischief, two counts of criminal possession of stolen property and possession of burglar’s tools. Zorilla was additionally charged with false impersonation and possession of marijuana, according to a police.

Following the arrest, 2nd Squad detectives recovered five GPS devices, as well as other stolen valuables. Detectives say that Hurtado and Zorilla are also responsible for thefts at the Broadway Mall in Hicksville, an office building in Plainview, and a Kohl’s location in Melville. Police say that this theft is part of a growing trend of crimes where vandals are breaking into cars and stealing laptops, electronics and purses.

“People need to hide their valuables in their trunks or under their seats to prevent this,” says Detective Sgt. Bruce Markgraf of the 2nd Precinct. “There’s been an increase in vehicle theft within the past 12 months.”