Crime & Safety

Smithtown Man's Home Searched Before His Alleged Break-In

Christopher Loeb, 26, has accused Suffolk County's Police Chief of Department of violating his civil rights.

The search of a Smithtown man's home, accused of breaking into Suffolk County Police Chief of Department James Burke's cruiser, was approved before the break-in took ever place, Newsday reports. 

Suffolk County probation department's search of Christopher Loeb's home was given the go-ahead on December 13, 2013. 

That's one day before Loeb, 26,  allegedly broke into Burker's police cruiser with an accomplice to steal a duffle bag containing his gun belt, ammunition and other items on Dec. 14, 2012. 

Loeb has accused Burke of violating his civil rights by punching him at the Fourth Precinct while in police custody. An FBI investigation is underway as subpoenas have been issued to more than a dozen Suffolk County police officers. 

The reason that Loeb's home search was approved are unclear. Law enforcement officials told Newsday an operational plan that would outline specific reasons for the search out have to be submitted and approved by supervisors before probation officers can act. 

Federal officials have already subpoenaed the operational plan. 

Read more on Newsday [subscription required] on the latest developments in the case. 



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