Crime & Safety
Suspect in Theft of Doctor's Jeep Caught After Lynbrook Crime Spree
The incident occurred in East Meadow back in January; the suspect was caught after multiple burglaries in Lynbrook Monday.
Updated 2:23 p.m.
Lynbrook Police arrested a Freeport man Monday in connection with the burglary of an East Meadow back in January, after they said the man was caught robbing a Lynbrook business and breaking into cars.
According to Nassau Fifth Squad detectives, around 3:20 p.m., Emania Shepard, 50, of Freeport, was arrested in Lynbrook.
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Police said Shepard first entered at 24 Atlantic Ave. Monday, swiping three cloth hats valued at $225.
Shepard then entered Brokerage located at 8 Forest Ave., at which time he stole a set of car keys and then left the building and entered the victim's car. Shepard then removed the victim's cell phone, music cd's and sunglasses, police said.
Shepard headed next to the driveway of , located at 272 Merrick Rd., and entered an unlocked 2012 Cadillac SUV at which time he removed the owner's iPhone 4S, police said. Shepard was observed by three witnesses, who followed him and was stopped in the vicinity of the
Shepard was then placed under arrest by a Lynbrook Police officer and transported to the Lynbrook Police Department Headquarters.
During a subsequent investigation, detectives recognized him as the suspect wanted in connection with stealing Dr. John Zaso's emergency vehicle back on Jan. 11 in East Meadow. The defendant was transported to the NCPD 5th Squad for processing with a copy of the Intelligence Bulletin.
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The vehicle was taken while Dr. Zaso, a pediatrician, was in his office at 611 Merrick Ave. Shepard allegedly walked into the office and took the keys, then made off with the jeep.
Shepard's actions were captured on video which was reviewed by investigators.
According to ABC Local, Dr. Zaso is also the medical director for the Merrick, Uniondale and Westbury Fire Departments, which is what his emergency vehicle is used for. The vehicle was recovered in Uniondale on Jan. 16, police said.
The investigation led to Shepard being charged with seven counts of burglary, two counts of grand larceny and two counts of petty larceny.
He will be arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Wednesday.
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