MASTIC BEACH MAN INDICTED FOR STRING OF COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Kenneth Eckhoff, 70, of Mastic Beach, was indicted for seven counts of Burglary in the Third Degree, for allegedly committing a string of commercial burglaries throughout Suffolk County in a little over one month span.

“Local businesses are at the heart of our community in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “When they are targeted and are victims of theft, the cost burden trickles down to the very consumers that the businesses serve.”

According to the investigation, Eckhoff allegedly burglarized seven businesses from May 21, 2023, to June 25, 2023, located within the confines of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fourth and Sixth Precincts. In most of the burglaries, Eckhoff removed glass or panels from doors into the businesses to gain entry.

Eckhoff was indicted on seven counts of Burglary in the Third Degree, Class D felonies, for the following incidents:

• May 21, 2023 – Carpet Depot, 2970 Middle Country Road, Lake Grove
• June 2, 2023 – Villa Grazie Pizza, 1665 Middle Country Road, Centereach
•  June 5, 2023 – Rainbow Shops, 257 Middle Country Road, Centereach Mall, Centereach
•  Between June 7 and June 8, 2023 – Carpet Depot, 2970 Middle Country Road, Lake Grove
• June 12, 2023 – Jiffy Lube, 1064 Middle Country Road, Selden
• June 14, 2023 – Coachella Nail Spa, 3076 Middle Country Road, Lake Grove
• June 25, 2023 – Islander Laundromat, 1021 Portion Road, Farmingville

Eckhoff was arrested on June 27, 2023, by members of the Suffolk County Police Department.

On July 12, 2023, Eckhoff was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard Ambro, and was ordered to be held on $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond or $800,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Eckhoff’s next court date is on July 27, 2023. He is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Keri J. Wasson of the Major Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from members of the Fourth and Sixth Precinct Detective Squads.

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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