A LEGO set meant to be the birthday present for a 6-year-old was stolen from a porch in Mastic Beach in broad daylight late last month, and authorities are now searching for the woman they say was responsible.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police officers asking the public for help in identifying the woman they say is responsible for stealing the package that contained a LEGO gift from outside a residence on Locust Drive in Mastic Beach.
"Lucky it was just a toy, but it could been something really important," said Ana Mariano, the resident of the home whose package was stolen. "How do I know the same person won't come back?"
According to Mariano, she bought a construction LEGO set for her friend’s son's 6th birthday, which was "literally stone from a child." Now she fears the suspect could strike again.
"You feel violated, you know your home is the one place you're supposed to feel safe. To come onto your property to steal your things, not knowing how important that might be to you," Mariano said. "I was actually happy I wasn't home, because you know, it makes you feel very unsafe."
The package was stolen Oct. 21 at around 2:40 p.m. The woman, seen dressed in yellow, allegedly fled in a waiting white or silver Honda Pilot.
"She's probably doing this to other people, so I really do hope she gets caught. I mean, it's very easy to identify her, you can see the tattoos, her hair," said Mariano. "It was broad daylight, she didn't seem bothered at all."
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Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.
As the holiday shopping season picks up, police also recommend shoppers use delivery tracking, set a time for delivery, ask a neighbor to pick up packages, hold items at a shipping facility or have items delivered to a workplace.
