Monthly Crime Report: Spikes Around First Precinct

The latest crime report for the month of August showed a disparity in where crimes have taken place throughout the First Precinct, which covers the Town of Babylon and is the largest in Suffolk County. Precinct leaders released this information during a Monthly Community Meeting held on September 6th.

A string of home burglaries struck the village of Lindenhurst, and hamlets North Lindenhurst and West Babylon throughout the month, accounting for 44 percent of the home burglaries in the precinct during August. Seven vehicles were also stolen in West Babylon during the month.

Just a short distance away from these areas, Babylon Village recorded zeros on all major crimes, including stolen vehicles, robberies and residential and commercial burglaries.

The First Precinct made 692 arrests during the month, including a 22 year old they suspect was a major factor in the various burglaries throughout the neighboring areas. Andrew Van Bourgondien, 22, of Lindenhurst, was arrested on August 28th after being found trying to break into the soccer academy on the Lindenhurst/West Babylon border, commonly referred to as "The Bubble."

There were four shootings in the precinct during the month of August, one of which was fatal. Rashad Capers, 18, of West Babylon, was shot to death only a block from his home in the early hours of August 26th while attending a party. Police are still on the hunt for his killer.

The precinct also dealt with 508 automobile accidents in the area, which included 84 injuries and one fatality. 37 people were arrested in August for Driving While Intoxicated.

Drug charges for controlled substances were up 40 percent from a month ago with 105 arrests in the precinct, although arrests for marijuana fell about 13 percent from August to only 68 arrests. The previous month's 78 marijuana-related arrests were considered a low number.

The next Community Meeting will take place on October 4th at 7 p.m. at the First Precinct on Route 109 in West Babylon.

During the hour-long presentation, police also offered up insight on specific criminal activity in the various communities: