East Meadow business targeted in string of burglaries, police say

A homeless man was arrested on July 21 in connection to a string of burglaries occurring over the past month, police said.

Thomas Briel, 45, most recently targeted the Twisted Smoke Shop on Merrick Avenue, allegedly throwing a brick through the window to break in and take multiple boxes of cigarettes before fleeing.

Police cited a review of the store’s security camera footage as leading them to Briel, who was found in Hempstead shortly after the incident. After further investigation by the Nassau County Burglary Pattern Squad, Briel was found responsible for six additional burglaries in Hempstead. The businesses he stole from include the Family Dollar Store on Front Street on July 2; the Family Dollar Store on Clinton Street on July 4, 5, 7 and 20, and Main Street Mini Mart on July 10.

Briel is facing seven counts of third-degree burglary charges. He was arraigned on July 22 at the Town of Hempstead First District Court.

—Brian Stieglitz