Cops: Lindy Man Robbed Our Lady of Perpetual Help Poor Boxes

A Lindenhurst man was arrested on Friday evening after Suffolk County Police said he was allegedly caught removing cash from the candle donation and poor boxes at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on South Wellwood Avenue.

Suffolk County Police said the First Precinct and Community Oriented Police Enforcement (COPE) officers set up surveillance around the church following a string of thefts from the boxes. A male, who disguised himself using a hood or surgical mask, was seen on the surveillance video using a wire-like object as a hook to remove cash from the donation boxes.

Two officers located in the church monitoring the surveillance video watched as the suspect removed cash from the candle donation box.

A short time later at 9:10 p.m., police placed Leonard Degaetano, 43, of Lindenhurst, under arrest as he attempted to escape from the church.

Degaetano was charged with Burglary in the Third Degree, Possession of Burglar's Tools and also charged with a second count of Burglary in the Third Degree in a previous theft of the church.

The investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information about these thefts to contact the First Squad at 631-854-8152 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain anonymous.