Prosecutors say a sophisticated burglary ring that included a former NYPD detective targeted more than 45 homes and businesses over three years, using police scanners and tracking devices to make some of their heists.
Federal prosecutors say ex-cop Rafael Astacio is also accused of illegally accessing an FBI database as part of the scheme.
Astacio and the four others were making initial court appearances Thursday in U.S. District Court in Central Islip. Astacio's attorney did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.
Police and prosecutors say that between 2009 and 2012, the ring committed dozens of commercial and residential burglaries on Long Island.
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In one notable theft, prosecutors say about 45,000 pairs of sunglasses valued at $3 million were taken from a Plainview business. The ring also allegedly stole approximately $2 million in cash from a plastic surgeon's office.
"The defendants were part of a sophisticated burglary crew that victimized Long Island businesses and residents for more than three years," U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch said in a statement.
The crew allegedly conducted surveillance of their victims to determine the best time to strike; in at least one case, they used a tracking device on a victim's car, prosecutors said.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
