Detectives identified Joseph Porter, 36, as the man responsible for incidents in Bay Shore, Central Islip and Brentwood following an investigation.
Police tell News 12 the man used heavy objects to break the glass doors or windows at the locations.
The businesses include:
- Golden Chicken Restaurant in Bay Shore
- NAPA Auto Parts-Budshore Auto Parts in Bay Shore
- J&S Wine Cellar and Liquor Inc. in Central Islip
- Pita & Pizza in Brentwood
- Super Taco in Brentwood
- Pine Aire Fish & Chips in Bay Shore
- Exit 42 Deli in Bay Shore
"It's pretty sad that people do this to, you know, local businesses, especially family run business like ours," says Mayra Escobar, manager of Pine Aire Fish & Chips. "The front window of our building was damaged. Shattered completely."
Pine Aire Fish & Chips was broken into at approximately 2:45 a.m. on Feb. 3.
About 40 minutes later, it also happened down the road at Exit 42 Deli.
"Whatever the cash was there, he just took it from both sides, and then he ran away," says owner Deepa Khanna. "Yesterday, my guys had a payday, and I did not pay them, but they cooperated. They said, 'OK, take two, three days.'"
Porter is facing charges of burglary and petit larceny.
In
2020, News 12 reported a similar incident involving Porter, where he was accused of breaking into a dozen businesses within one month.