Cops Nab Serial Burglar

One burglary investigation last week led police to close 12 open cases dating back to 2009 and involving about $22,000 in stolen goods.

said on Monday that Tyrone Drayton, 43, of Montauk, admitted to burglarizing six residences, five in the area of Springs-Fireplace Road in East Hampton -- many of them twice and one of them four times -- between November 2009 and January 2011. In two instances, at the same house, he burglarized the house while the residents' were home.

Charged with 17 counts, mostly felonies, Drayton is being held without bail at the Suffolk County jail in Riverside as he is a prior felony offender, according to Detective Lt. Chris Anderson.

Drayton had been brought into headquarters for questioning on March 6 during the most recent burglary investigation. Julio Correa filed a report when electronics and about $800 in cash were stolen from his apartment on South Fisk Street in Montauk on Jan. 23.

Drayton allegedly admitted to that theft first. Police said in their report when they asked him about other burglaries around Springs-Fireplace Road, specifically those where televisions had been stolen, he confessed to them all.

More than a year ago, police had canvassed that neighborhood, alerting residents to burglaries and looking for information, Anderson said. "It become obvious to us that there was a pattern burglar," but the investigation had run dry.

"He concentrated on this particular neighborhood because of the proximity to a place he would sometimes stay at," Anderson said. In some cases, Anderson said Drayton forced entry to the houses.

Drayton has admitted to burglarizing Karen Tripi's house on Springs-Fireplace Road on four separate occasions, taking flat-screen televisions, electronics and cash, police said.

Detectives also reported he twice burglarized Daniel Deboard's house on Springs-Fireplace Road, stealing cash and alcohol, Coco Myers' house on Floyd Street, where he took laptop computers, wallets, clothing, and personal items. At Predag and Michele Balkovich's house, also on Floyd Street, he allegedly stole or attempted to steal numerous household items, electronics, flat-screen televisions, clothing, and jewelry.

Drayton also allegedly admitted to stealing electronics, cash, and laundry detergent from Dan Wicker's house on Springs-Fireplace Road.

Drayton has been charged with 10 counts of second-degree burglary, three counts of third-degree criminal possession of stolen property that exceeds $3,000, and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, all of which are felonies. He was also charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal mischief in the fourth-degree.

Police recovered six flat screen televisions, numerous electronics, such as cellphones, cameras, desktops and laptop computers, clothing, jewelry, and household wares at two locations -- places he stayed at on Springs-Fireplace Road and South Fisk Street.

"He had sold some of the stuff," Anderson said, but most of it he had kept either for personal use or as items he intended to sell later.

Anderson said there may be a few victims who never reported the burglaries to police, and he encouraged them to do so.

Catherine A. Cahill ordered him held without bail on March 7. He was still in the county's custody on Monday.