Crime & Safety

DA: Trio Stole From Car Dealerships, Model Homes

St. James man among trio to be arraigned on a grand jury indictment Thursday.

Three Suffolk County men will be arraigned on a grand jury indictment Thursday in Central Islip for allegedly stealing appliances from model homes and houses under construction as well as tires and rims from car dealerships.

Wesley Tyler, 32, of St. James, Tyler McDonald, 19, of Farmingville, and Joseph Clarke, 23, of East Patchogue, face burglary, criminal possession of stolen property, auto-stripping and other charges, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said Wednesday.

The thefts of rims and tires date back to January of 2014, the DA said, while the thefts of new appliances including microwave ovens, granite countertops, ranges, dishwashers and refrigerators from vacant model homes and houses under construction occurred earlier this year.

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“The defendants rented U-Haul trucks to haul the rims and tires and the new appliances they stole during their burglaries,” Spota said. “Some of the stolen merchandise was recovered at defendant Tyler’s St. James home at 297 Washington Avenue.”

The three man were arrested in March. Wesley Tyler and Tyler McDonald are currently free on bail. Joseph Clarke was remanded to the county jail.

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Photo (L-R): Wesley Tyler, Tyler McDonald and Joseph Clarke

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