A pair of Suffolk men arrested for setting fire to PSEG substations to distract law enforcement from their burglaries are under indictment by District Attorney Raymond Tierney. Frank Costa, 54, of Port Jefferson Station, and Jon Pucci, 29, of Middle Island, have been arrested for arson at three utility locations and nine commercial burglaries at businesses throughout Suffolk County. They also face weapons charges.
“These alleged criminal acts have not only caused extensive damage but have also put the lives of Suffolk County residents and first responders at risk,” Tierney said. “I thank the Suffolk County Police Department for their thorough investigation of this case. Now, my office will ensure that these defendants are held accountable for their alleged extremely dangerous crimes.”
According to the investigators, between August 20, 2023, and February 9, 2024, Costa and Pucci allegedly set the fires at the substations apparently believing they would cause power outages in the local community, which would distract law enforcement while they committed the burglaries, Tierney said. Around midnight on February 10, detectives followed Costa and Pucci to a PSEG Long Island easement and placed them under arrest. While police searched the location, they discovered an ATM that was allegedly stolen from a Shell Gas Station in Ridge the day before. Money from the ATM was allegedly found in the defendants’ pockets after their arrest, Tierney reported. The utility requested that the substation locations not be revealed for safety reasons.
The alleged burglaries occurred on the following dates and locations:
• December 11, 2023 – USA Gas, 1146 Middle Country Road, Middle Island.
• December 26, 2023 – USA Gas, 1146 Middle Country Road, Middle Island.
• December 26, 2023 – BP Gas, 1470 Middle Country Road, Ridge.
• December 29, 2023 – Gulf Gas, 240 West Main Street, Smithtown.
• December 31, 2023 – BP Gas, 3200 Veterans Memorial Highway, Bohemia.
• January 12, 2024 – Ideal Food Basket, 500 Jefferson Plaza, Port Jefferson.
• January 12, 2024 – DJM Laundromat, 1 Glenmere Lane, Coram.
• January 24, 2024 – Back Country Deli, 70 Horseblock Road, Yaphank.
• January 30, 2024 – Kings Park Car Care, 189 Main Street, Kings Park.
• February 9, 2024 – Shell Gas Station located at 1511 Middle Country Road, Ridge.
Costa and Pucci were each indicted on the following charges:
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
• Nine counts of Burglary in the Third Degree, Class D felonies;
• Three counts of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, Class D felonies;
• One count of Attempted Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class E felony;
• One count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony;
• Three counts of Arson in the Fifth Degree, Class A misdemeanors.
Costa was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz, who ordered him held on $150,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $1 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court on March 19 and is being represented by Roger Rothman, Esq. Pucci’s case is pending, according to Tierney’s office. He is due back in court on March 12, 2024, and he is being represented by Pierre Brazile, Esq.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Carlos J. Benitez II and Matthew R. Laube of the Major Crime Bureau and Arson Task Force, with the investigation conducted by Detectives Steven Darling, James Pase, and Daniel Rossler of the Suffolk Police
Department’s Arson Squad, and Detective Sean McQuaid of the department’s Major Case Section.
Looking to combat crime, County Executive Edward Romaine recently announced the promotion of 69 members of the Suffolk PD, including 24 new detectives, two detective sergeants, and 30 sergeants, along with other top police brass. Romaine and the Republicans in the County Legislature said they are committed to also providing more resources to the district attorney’s office.