Suffolk County police arrested a Riverhead man who attempted to burglarize a Center Moriches church while preschool classes were taking place in the building on Tuesday, Mar. 17.
Daniel Fanuele was attempting to kick down the door of Presbyterian Church of the Moriches, located at 263 Main Steet, Center Moriches, to burglarize the building when he was confronted by an employee of Gentle Hearts Preschool, which is located inside the church, at 12:50 p.m. Fanuele fled the scene on foot. As a precaution, 19 students and two employees sheltered in place until police arrived. There were no injuries reported.
Following an investigation by Seventh Squad detectives, Fanuele, 30, of 629 West Main Street, Riverhead, was arrested by Seventh Precinct patrol officers at 2:41 p.m. at the intersection of Coventry Avenue and Mastic Road in Mastic. He was charged with attempted burglary 3rd degree and criminal mischief. He will be held overnight at the Sixth Precinct and is scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on March 18.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Seventh Squad detectives at 631-852- 8752.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
