Suffolk police use drone to find shoplifting suspect in Huntington
Four people are accused of stealing items from the Dick's Sporting Goods on Jericho Turnpike in Commack around 6 p.m. Wednesday.
More Stories
A shoplifting call in Commack quickly turned into a search for multiple suspects on Wednesday.
It began when four people allegedly stole items from the Dick's Sporting Goods on Jericho Turnpike in Commack around 6 p.m.
Police say when officers arrived, three women and a man were seen leaving the store and scattered.
One of the suspects, Anamaria Guzman, of Hempstead, took off in a car.
Investigators say a short time later, the 23-year-old caused a multivehicle crash near Tulsa Street in Huntington and ran away.
"It was a four-vehicle accident. One of the vehicles caught on fire. Thankfully, nobody was hurt," says Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina.
Officials say a drone was launched and thermal imaging scans were used to locate Guzman, who was hiding nearby in a backyard on Tulsa Street.
The drone was launched from the Second Precinct but was being operated from the Crime Analysis Center at police headquarters in Yaphank.
"When the drone operator saw this individual in a backyard, it looked a bit unusual, so it caught his attention. He focused in on her," says Catalina.
Guzman was charged with three counts of petit larceny, leaving the scene of a crash with physical injuries, reckless driving and unlawful fleeing.
People who live on or near Tulsa Street in Huntington say they're shocked.
"It's a pretty quiet area, nothing happens," says resident Pia Paiva.
"I'm glad they have something like that because it just keeps the neighborhood safe," says resident Lino Bartoloni.
A second woman, 21 year old Mercedes Hough, of Hempstead, fled the store on foot and was stopped in the parking lot. She was charged with petit larceny and possession of burglar's tools.
Police are still searching for the man and the other woman involved.
Both Guzman and Hough were released on a desk appearance ticket.
