Suffolk DA: Riverhead man on probation traced to 10 burglaries by GPS monitoring ankle bracelet

A Riverhead man is facing multiple felony burglary charges in connection with 10 burglaries of homes in Riverhead in 2017 and 2018 — while wearing a GPS ankle bracelet as a condition of his probation on a prior conviction.

Taiheem McKay, 23, of Riverhead, is charged with 10 counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, a C felony.

McKay is charged in connection with the following burglaries:

• July 11, 2017, at 311 East Avenue, Riverhead
• July 11, 2017, at 311 East Avenue, Riverhead
• Sept.  1, 2017, at 176 Horton Avenue, Riverhead
• Sept. 1, 2017, at 277 Old Country Road, Trailer #26, Riverhead
• Jan. 18, 2018, at 212 East Avenue, Riverhead
• Jan. 29, 2018, at 311 East Avenue, Riverhead
• Jan. 29, 2018, at 311 East Avenue, Riverhead
• Jan. 12, 2018, at 315 Raynor Avenue, Riverhead
• Feb. 27, 2018, at 329 Maple Avenue, Riverhead
• Feb. 27, 2018, at 327 Union Avenue, Riverhead

“This indictment is the result of excellent investigative work by detectives in the Riverhead Police Department, who used technology and the sharing of intelligence to find the alleged perpetrator responsible for these burglaries,” Sini said in a press release Thursday evening.

“These were brazen acts committed in broad daylight by an individual who clearly has no respect for the law,” Sini said. “I commend the Riverhead Police Department and the Suffolk County Department of Probation for their work on this case and their continuous efforts to keep our communities safe.”

McKay was arraigned on the indictment today in front of Suffolk County Acting Supreme Court Justice Mark Cohen.

Bail was set at $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond.

Through an investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Riverhead Police Department and Suffolk County Department of Probation, McKay was found to have been at each of the burglary locations on the days of the incidents.

McKay stole U.S. currency, jewelry, designer sneakers, designer belts and a wallet from the residences, according to police, the DA said.

If convicted, McKay faces a maximum sentence of five to 15 years in prison on each count of the indictment, which could run consecutively.

McKay was also arrested by the Riverhead Police Department on July 16 in connection with a residential burglary at 417 East Avenue in Riverhead on May 4, in which he allegedly stole several hundred dollars from the residence. He was indicted on July 26 on charges of Burglary in the Second Degree, a C felony, and Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, an A misdemeanor, in connection with that incident.

McKay is due back in court on October 2.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Shalvey, of the Major Crime Bureau.

Editor’s note: A criminal charge is an accusation. By law, a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.