Two Long Island men were indicted for their alleged involvement in a crime spree that included three arsons and nine burglaries targeting businesses across Suffolk County. The series of criminal activities, which spanned from August 2023 to February 2024, has not only resulted in significant property damage but also endangered the lives of local residents and first responders.
Frank Costa, 54, of Port Jefferson Station, and Jon Pucci, 29, of Middle Island, executed a calculated scheme, burglarizing nine businesses and deliberately setting fires at three PSEG Long Island substations. The fires, the authorities suggest, were intended to create power outages, thereby distracting law enforcement and facilitating the duo’s burglary operations. Their arrest came on February 10, 2024 at around midnight, after detectives tracked them to a PSEGLI easement in Centereach.
While police searched the location, they discovered an ATM that was allegedly stolen from a Shell gas station in Ridge the day before. Money from the ATM was allegedly found in the defendants’ pockets after their arrest.
In addition to the three alleged arsons that took place, the alleged burglaries occurred on the following dates and locations:
- December 11, 2023 – USA Gas, 1146 Middle Country Road, Middle Island
- December 26, 2023 – USA Gas, 1146 Middle Country Road, Middle Island
- December 26, 2023 – BP Gas, 1470 Middle Country Road, Ridge
- December 29, 2023 – Gulf Gas, 240 West Main Street, Smithtown
- December 31, 2023 – BP Gas, 3200 Veterans Memorial Highway, Bohemia
- January 12, 2024 – Ideal Food Basket, 500 Jefferson Plaza, Port Jefferson
- January 12, 2024 – DJM Laundromat, 1 Glenmere Lane, Coram
- January 24, 2024 – Back Country Deli, 70 Horseblock Road, Yaphank
- January 30, 2024 – Kings Park Car Care, 189 Main Street, Kings Park
- February 9, 2024 – Shell Gas Station located at 1511 Middle Country Road, Ridge
Costa and Pucci were each indicted for the following charges:
- one count of first-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class B violent felony
- nine counts of third-degree burglary, all Class D felonies
- three counts of second-degree criminal mischief, all Class D felonies
- one count of third-degree attempted burglary, a Class E felony
- one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a Class E felony
- three counts of fifth-degree arson, all Class A misdemeanors
On February 27, 2024, Costa was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Judge Richard I. Horowitz, who ordered that Costa to be held on $150,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $1 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Costa is due back in court on March 19, 2024.
Pucci’s case is pending. He is due back in court on March 12, 2024.
“These alleged criminal acts represent a grave threat to our community, jeopardizing the safety of our citizens and those who bravely serve to protect us,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney stated, commending the Suffolk County Police Department for their diligent work in investigating these incidents. “My office is now committed to ensuring these individuals face the full consequences of their dangerous actions.”