Suffolk D.A.: Two men indicted for three arsons and nine commercial burglaries

Frank Costa and Jon Pucci Allegedly Set Fire to PSEG Long Island Substations to Facilitate

Their Burglaries of Nearby Commercial Establishments

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb. 27 that Frank Costa, 54, of Port Jefferson Station, and Jon Pucci, 29 of Middle Island, were indicted for allegedly committing a series of three arsons and nine commercial burglaries at businesses throughout Suffolk County.

“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,” said District Attorney Tierney. “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 investigation, between August 20, 2023, and February 9, 2024, Costa and Pucci allegedly burglarized nine businesses and set fires at three PSEG Long Island (“PSEGLI”) substations in Suffolk County. The defendants apparently believed the fires would cause power outages in the local community, which would distract law enforcement while Costa and Pucci committed the burglaries. On February 10, 2024, at approximately 12:00 a.m., Suffolk County Police Department detectives followed Costa and Pucci 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.

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 for 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 Efelony; and
•   Three counts of Arson in the Fifth Degree, Class A misdemeanors.