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The driver, John Miller, 43, of Brookhaven, and his passenger, Annette Bowers, 45, of Patchogue, were arrested on Monday, May 20, after police were able to stop their Mercedes-Benz van on South Main Street in Freeport, police said.
The string of burglaries began around 3:45 a.m, Sunday, May 19, when Miller allegedly broke into the Walgreens at 1580 Route 112, in Medford, Suffolk County Police said.
The burglary was followed by another around 7:45 p.m., Sunday, at Sai Cards and Gifts, 298 Portion Road, in Lake Ronkonkoma, and the third burglary took place around 9:34 p.m. Monday, May 20, at the Lucky Lotto, 1104 Smithtown Ave., in Bohemia, police said.
While at the Lucky Lotto, detectives were able to spot a white Mercedes Benz Sprinter van fleeing the scene on surveillance video, police said.
A vehicle matching the description was observed in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven, located on Waverly Ave. in Patchogue at approximately 10:50 p.m.
A patrol officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop and the vehicle fled northbound on Patchogue Holbrook Road, then west on Sunrise Highway, then north on Fifth Avenue, police said.
Suffolk County Police Aviation Section helicopters, along with New York State Police, Nassau County Police, and Freeport Police tracked the vehicle as it fled onto Southern State Parkway, south on Wantagh Parkway, and west onto Merrick Road, before being cornered by police vehicles at a construction site on South Main Street in Freeport where the two were arrested, they added.
Miller was charged with burglary, DWAI/Drugs, and criminal possession of a controlled substance/cocaine and driving without a license.
Bowers was charged with burglary and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Police said cigarettes and other items were taken during the burglaries.
Additional charges are pending. Both are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Tuesday, May 21.
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