Long Island Security Guard Stole $4K Worth Of Tools
SELDEN, NY Jan 9 2022 — A Long Island security guard was arraigned Friday on charges he swiped tools from the town he works for and then pocketed about $4,000 he got for selling them, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney’s office said Friday.
Robert Chura, 29, of Selden “allegedly broke into a tool room that he did not have access to, or permission to be in while he was on duty so that he could steal three hedge trimmers, two chainsaws, and two leaf blowers,” from the Town of Huntington, Tierney’s office said, adding, the equipment was worth $3,700.
Chura ended up selling them to Leonel Hernandez, 34, of Patchogue.
Tierney said Chura “allegedly took advantage of his position to steal items from the town to financially benefit himself” rather than “safeguarding town property.”
He credited Suffolk police for their work on the case, saying that without it, “this individual will now have to face the consequences of his actions.”
Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison called Chura’s arrest a “reminder that no one is above the law.”
“While working as a security officer for the Town of Huntington, Chura took advantage of his position by burglarizing town property and stealing tools to make a profit at the taxpayer’s expense,” he said. “I commend 2nd Squad detectives who worked collaboratively with the Town of Huntington and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office to quickly make this apprehension.”
Chura is charged with third-degree burglary and grand larceny in the third degree, felonies, and official misconduct, a misdemeanor. He is due back in court on Jan. 26. Hernandez, 34, is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 24 for fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, also a felony.
Their cases are being prosecuted by the DA’s Public Integrity Bureau.
