Detectives Arrest 'Serial Burglar' in East Hampton

A Springs man, whom police called a serial burglar, has been arrested in connection with numerous residential burglaries on the South Fork over the past year, including 16 in East Hampton that resulted in the loss of more than $126,000 in jewelry, cash and prescription medications, according to East Hampton Town police.

Justin T. Bennett, a 35-year-old originally from Sag Harbor, was arrested on Thursday after a long investigation involving detectives from East Hampton, Southampton Town, Sag Harbor Village, and New York City. The burglaries took place between January and October 2013. 

Detective Lt. Chris Anderson said he believes there will be 27 cleared burglaries between the three jurisdictions. 

Police said that based on witness descriptions of a dark colored sedan driven by a white man, coupled with information by New York City detectives who recovered a significant amount of jewelry, Bennet became a suspect, police said.

Detectives took Bennett into custody on Thursday, stopping him in a 2003 black Toyota on Route 114 in East Hampton.

He will be arraigned in East Hampton Town Justice Court on Friday on 14 counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of attempted second-degree burglary, one count of criminally possessing a hypodermic instrument, and a misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana.

The investigation is ongoing. Police have asked that anyone with information contact East Hampton Town police at 631-537-7575. All calls will be kept confidential.