Crime & Safety

Ex-Con, Serial Burglars Reportedly Responsible for Copper Theft

Court records show two men facing seven burglary charges are also wanted in relation to the theft of 400 pounds of copper in August.

According to state and court records, a Rocky Point man – who police said on Tuesday was arrested for in concert with two other individuals – has been convicted of burglary in the past, and currently stands charged with seven burglary charges across Suffolk County.

Southold Police said on Tuesday that warrants were issued William P. Smith, who reportedly stole over 400 pounds of copper in August from an unnamed Mattituck business.

Court records show the announcement came days after Smith pleaded not guilty to seven counts of second-degree burglary, a class C felony. He was , and police said the burglaries occurred between Aug. 24 and Sept. 4, in Sound Beach, Rocky Point, Mt. Sinai, Centereach, Selden and Mastic Beach.

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Smith was remanded to Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverside and remains in custody, on $50,000 bond or $25,000 cash bail.

According to records with the Department of Corrections, Smith served time previously after being convicted of third degree burglary, a class E felony, in 2008. He was last released from Suffolk County Jail in 2010.

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Police have also said a Centereach man also played a part in both the Mattituck incident and the string of burglaries in late August and early September.

Jeremy Sunderland remains in custody after pleading not guilty as well.

A third man – Sound Beach man Peter Kleckowski – was also arrested in relation to the Mattituck burglary.

Requests for comment from the District Attorney's Office were not immediately returned.


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