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Man, Woman Nabbed For Stealing Pocketbooks At Long Island Supermarkets, Police Say

A Long Island man and woman have been arrested after a vehicle crash when it was discovered they allegedly stole multiple pocketbooks from women at area supermarkets.

The ShopRite in Patchogue.

The ShopRite in Patchogue.

Photo Credit: Google Maps street view

Suffolk County Police said Tariasha Smith, age 25, of West Babylon, was driving a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta at the Lidl supermarket parking lot, in Oakdale, on Wednesday, Julyy 28, when she noticed a woman left her pocketbook in a shopping cart, while she was putting her groceries in her car. 

Smith’s front-seat passenger, Robert Hengeveld, age 50,  grabbed the pocketbook from Smith’s vehicle, according to police.

The pair then committed a similar theft at the ShopRite store in Patchogue, police said.

A short time later, Patrol Officer Vincent Maxwell spotted a vehicle matching the description of the larcenies northbound on Route 112, in Patchogue and initiated a traffic stop, said police. 

Smith and Hengeveld gave the officers their ID, before fleeing northbound on Route 112 at a high rate of speed, according to police.

Officer Maxwell did not initiate a pursuit, and followed the vehicle from a safe distance, police said. 

Smith lost control of her vehicle when she attempted to make a turn on Peconic Avenue in Medford and struck a tree at approximately 10:50 a.m., according to police 

The pair fled on foot before being caught a very short time later by Maxwell and Officer Dennis Stewart, said police.

An investigation by detectives revealed Smith and Hengeveld were responsible for larcenies at the following locations.

  • Giunta's Meat Farms of Bohemia
  • ShopRite of Lake Ronkonkoma
  • ShopRite of Lake Ronkonkoma
  • ShopRite of Lake Ronkonkoma
  • ALDI supermarket of Patchogue 
  • Stop & Shop, in Holbrook 
  • Lidl supermarket in Patchogue
  • ShopRite of Patchogue

Hengeveld, who is undomiciled, and Smith were charged with:

  • Eight counts of grand larceny 
  • Three counts of criminal possession of stolen property 
  • Fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle

Detectives remind motorists to always be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your valuables at all times.

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