A group of men who allegedly wore fake police badges to get into homes of people they knew had cash and valuables, then flashed weapons and tied up the residents once they got inside, pleaded not guilty at their arraignments on burglary, conspiracy and other charges.
The men, who range in age from 23 to 21, are named in a 29-count indictment that charges them with targeting homes for robberies and pretending to be plainclothes detectives to gain access. Four of the five arrested were arraigned Wednesday; the fifth hearing is Friday.
According to the indictment, the men hit at least seven homes over the last year in Bay Shore, North Babylon, Mastic and Deer Park. Cash, jewelry and marijuana were stolen. Prosecutors said the men bound the people in the houses with zip ties or duct tape as they ransacked the premises, telling the residents they were being restrained "for their protection."
In one case, the suspects went to the wrong apartment in Bay Shore and tied up two grandparents and a 9-year-old child, prosecutors said.
It wasn't clear if injuries were reported in any of the home invasions.
They were arrested March 26 on their way to commit another home invasion in Deer Park, prosecutors say. Detectives broke the case using wiretaps, authorities said. Suffolk County Chief of Detectives William Madigan called it "a difficult web to untangle."
Three of the suspects have violent criminal histories, including convictions for robbery and selling drugs.
