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Man burglarized several Queens bodegas by cutting holes in walls: DA

Dec. 28, 2016 Staff Report

A Staten Island man who allegedly broke into several Queens-based bodegas and stole $40,000 in cash, lottery tickets and cigarettes was indicted yesterday on charges of burglary and grand larceny, according to the Queens District Attorney.

Hector Rodriguez, 38, broke into six bodegas and grocery stores, gaining access by cutting holes in a roof or a wall, according to the indictment. He allegedly broke into establishments in Queens Village, Woodside, Jackson Heights, North Corona and Jamaica between October 8, 2015, and September 15, 2016.

According to the charges, Rodriguez was allegedly observed on video surveillance in each of the break-ins wearing a hoodie sweatshirt and sneakers and carrying both a crowbar and flashlight.

“The defendant is accused of brazenly burglarizing various businesses by literally breaking into the buildings – creating holes in rooftops and/or walls to get inside,” said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown in a statement. “The commercial locations – grocery stores and bodegas in various Queens neighborhoods – allegedly had more than $40,000 in cash and merchandise stolen. The defendant is now facing prison time for these alleged acts.”

Rodriguez has been charged with five counts of third-degree burglary, one count of petit larceny, four counts of third-degree grand larceny, four counts of third-degree criminal mischief and one count of third-degree attempted burglary.

He faces up to seven years in prison.

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