A drug habit may have driven the superintendent of a Long Island retirement community to steal from his tenants, Suffolk police said Friday.
John Alaia, 37, was arrested Thursday after investigators said he used his master keys to enter at least six apartments and steal jewelry at the Walden Pond complex in East Moriches.
"I just don't feel safe anymore," said tenant Donna Gergela, one of the victims.
Alaia has served as superintendent for about a year, tenants said.
"Everybody kind of liked him, to tell you the truth," said tenant Eileen Ruvolo.
Alaia was responsible for maintenance at the complex's 324 rental apartments and police said some of the thefts occurred while he was doing that work.
"He would take only some items and leave others behind so as not to alert the tenants," said Det. Lt. Gail Marrero.
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Alaia was so precise, investigators said, some tenants didn't realize they were victimized until notified by police.
"My wife looked at her jewelry and didn't see anything missing until police called and said we have this, this and this," said tenant Stephen Plunkett.
Alaia appeared in court Friday and pleaded not guilty to burglary charges. His lawyer, Michael Annabale, said he will fight the charges.
Court documents indicate, however, that Alaia has admitted to the thefts.
Suffolk police wouldn't say what led them to Alaia.
Dozens of pieces of jewelry have been recovered and will be returned to their owners; but police are still trying to determine how many apartments Alaia may have burglarized.
"I just don't feel as trustworthy as I once did," said tenant Linda Napolitano. "You don't expect people to do something like that."
Walden Pond's management company did not return a call for comment.
