Police Aviation Assists in Early Morning St. James Arrests

CMarie January 10, 2013 at 12:20 pm

Great reporting by Patch as usual. I woke up in the middle of the night saw the chopper and spotlights going around my neighborhood. I Made sure everything was locked up tight. Woke up this morning and sure enough you guys already have a small report on it. Thanks for keep us informed.

George January 10, 2013 at 01:21 pm

I am sure glad they were caught. But I think it's kind of funny that a chopper was involved in apprehending suspects that were in the end charged with petit larceny. What will they use to catch hardened felons? A stealth fighter jet?

Chris January 10, 2013 at 01:30 pm

I agree. With the helicopter hovering at tree top height, the lights were illuminating every room in my house. The police cars/ESU trucks were everywhere on my street with spotlights shining on all the lawns. I was sure there was something major going down and made sure to check that all the doors/windows were locked. I was surprised that they would go to such extremes for a couple taking items from an unlocked car!

WOODY11780 January 10, 2013 at 02:09 pm

BEST OF THE BEST !!!

WOODY11780 January 10, 2013 at 02:11 pm

GRINNING, WHILE BITING MY LIP

Rich T BIrd January 10, 2013 at 02:44 pm

what makes you THINK they new it was for a petty larceny charge before they sent up a helicopter? It sends a great message to criminals of any level that our police department will use all its resources to capture criminals.

JP January 10, 2013 at 03:02 pm

Not knowing the entire story (ie. dispatch information provided by the 911 operator, civilian reports from the scene etc.) we should probably refrain from passing judgment on SCPD's decision to leverage available resources. Personally I would take over kill before under kill any day of the week. Let the message circulate to all would be criminals- Saint James is not the place to set up shop. It's important to understand that most dangerous criminals graduate from smaller crimes first. They don't start by kicking in your door at 3 AM, assaulting your family, taking your things, and burning your house down. They start with taking a pack of gum and an iPod from the glove box of an unlocked car in the dead of the night. Stop them early so our neighborhood is safer later. From a training stand point: going through the motions of a serious man hunt for a relatively benign mark is a great way to prepare the Police force for the real important calls of duty. Do we really want it to be their first rodeo for the main event? "We are what we repeatedly do. Therefore, EXCELLENCE, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle
Thank You SCPD.

peace rina January 10, 2013 at 03:29 pm

Well said JP. Anything to keep our Families safe. Great job SCPD!

Catherine S. January 10, 2013 at 03:31 pm

Well said JP. I would rather have a helicopter hovering over my house wake me up, than a thief with a gun or knife hovering over my bed. Thank you SCPD! And to all those who put their life on the line to save and help others.

localguy January 10, 2013 at 04:36 pm

Come on folks, you gotta lock your car doors and keep anything of value out of sight. With that being said, nice job nabbing the bad guys. A message to the punks who think they can wander around town swiping stuff, take a hike. They were better off being caught by the cops than being caught by some upset resident who maybe wouldn't be so kind to them. Know what I mean?

Jim Bennett January 10, 2013 at 05:25 pm

I don't care if they use an ICBM. They took two creeps off the street and people will be able to sleep better at night. Thanks SCPD.

JP January 10, 2013 at 08:22 pm

Chris B,
I'm not sure to whom you are directing your question, but I'll take a stab at it: Your Question- what makes you think it was an unlocked car? How do you know they didn't smash in a window(s) of the vehicle to get inside? Answer- "According to police, a man and a woman were arrested at 2:40 a.m. after they allegedly stole items from an unlocked vehicle in St. James." (See paragraph 2 of the article above)

Gunslinger January 10, 2013 at 10:44 pm

Hey George and CMD,
Next time you call the police remind them not to go to extremes to assist you Think about what you say before you say it next time. Just saying...

Gunslinger January 10, 2013 at 10:44 pm

Hey George and CMD,
Next time you call the police remind them not to go to extremes to assist you Think about what you say before you say it next time. Just saying...

chris smith January 11, 2013 at 12:35 am

It sounds like someone it happened to was politically connected. If it happened to average smithtown resident you would get a patrol car in 3 hours to take a report. What a waste of money. Spent more on the helicopter fuel than the fine levied against the criminals. Just typical someone "connected" waste because this will never happen for average citizen. Theres your scoop smithtown patch

DJ January 11, 2013 at 02:39 am

The helicopter happened to have just dropped a patient off at Stony Brook Hospital and heard the call, so they assisted because they were in the area. They were not sent up for that call but luckily were in the right place at the right time and were able to help. Good for them!

Yurmama January 11, 2013 at 03:35 am

It sounds like a great job done by SCPD!

George January 11, 2013 at 01:33 pm

Of course you make a good point, "Gunslinger"!

bob January 11, 2013 at 09:42 pm

that was my car that stole from great job by scpd and they were so stupid that they didnt even see my huge survaliance cameras on my house

CMarie January 12, 2013 at 03:22 am

Great message to send to criminals. We dont want criminals thinking they can get away with anything in our town. Great job done by SJPD! Thanks for Keeping our homes and kids safe.