Garden City Police Commissioner Ernest Cipullo reports the arrest of two female suspects for a residential burglary on Russell Road.

According to police reports, at approximately 3:50 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, one suspect entered a Russell Road residence through an unlocked rear door while a second suspect allegedly waited in a 2001 Pontiac Firebird. The suspect inside the residence allegedly entered a bedroom and removed a pocketbook containing a wallet, US currency, personal papers and credit cards. This subject then exited the residence and left the scene in the awaiting vehicle, police stated.

An alert neighbor witnessed the suspicious activity at this residence and was able to record the license plate of the vehicle as well as detailed descriptions of the two suspects and the vehicle. It was also determined that one of the credit cards was used at a nearby gas station a short time later.

Garden City Detectives Rothermel, Madden and Pedone, along with a Nassau County detective, were then assigned to the case. The information provided by the witness assisted them in apprehending the driver, Michelle Candaras, 20, of Medford, as she arrived at her Medford residence. Candaras was found to be in possession of all the reported property stolen from the Garden City residence. In addition, she was found to be in possession of 10 glassine envelopes of heroin. Through their investigation, the detectives were able to locate and arrest the other suspect in this case, Danielle Finn, 27, of Coram, at her mother's residence in Baldwin.

Candaras was charged with burglary second degree, possession of a controlled substance third degree and criminal possession of stolen property fourth degree. Finn was charged with burglary second degree. Both were slated for arraignment in First District Court, July 12.

"This is a perfect example on how an alert citizen can help the police by reporting suspicious activity and by obtaining detailed descriptions of persons and vehicles," Commissioner Cipullo said. "Due to the alert observations of the neighbor in this case both suspects were arrested and all property was recovered. This was also true in the apprehension of two subjects last month when an alert citizen who was walking her dog reported suspicious activity to another neighbor who then called the police. Officers on patrol responded to the area and through their observations and actions, they were able to apprehend two subjects who were responsible for numerous burglaries in Garden City and Nassau County."

Commissioner Cipullo added that the Garden City Police Department is also actively investigating promising leads in regard to recent burglaries that have occurred in the west end of the village.

He offers all residents these tips to help prevent burglaries:

1) Lock all doors and windows when you leave your residence even if you are just gardening in your backyard. There have been numerous cases where a house has been burglarized as the resident was doing yard work.

2) Activate your alarm system whenever the residence is unoccupied.

3) Utilize lighting inside and outside your residence during night hours.

4) Report all suspicious activity at your residence or at a neighbor's residence. When reporting a suspicious vehicle, try to obtain a plate number. This can prove more useful than just a description of the vehicle.

"The sooner the police department receives information concerning suspicious activity or crimes in progress, the better the chance that suspects committing crimes will be apprehended," Commissioner Cipullo concluded.