Update: Two accused in Wading River break-in held on bail
Two men — including a man wanted for violating probation — are being held at Suffolk County jail Tuesday afternoon after they were arrested on burglary charges Monday in Mastic Beach hours after a break-in at a Wading River home earlier that day, according to a police statement.
Ryan Mercado, 21, of Shirley and Rick Mascia, 21, were arraigned in Riverhead Town Justice Court Tuesday morning on second-degree burglary charges in connection with the theft, police said.
A resident at the targeted home on 15th Street called police at 1:19 a.m. to report her house had been “forcibly entered,” police said. The woman told police $4,000 in cash had been taken from the home.
“It looks like they just kicked in the front door,” said police Lt. Robert Peeker.
Detectives gathered information and found Mr. Mercado and Mr. Mascia were staying at the Smith Point Motel, arresting the men just after noon.
Some of the stolen money was recovered, police said.
A bench warrant out of county court had been issued for Mr. Mascia for violating probation in connection with a driving while intoxicated arrest in 2012, his attorney said in court.
Mr. Mascia is being held on $10,000 bail, while Mr. Mercado is being held on $2,500 bail.
“Right now I’m broke. I just have a bad habit,” Mr. Mercado said when asked how he supported himself.
