Rockville Centre's village administrator thwarts car thief

A day after his 64th birthday, Rockville Centre Village Administrator Frank Quigley helped nab Gregory P. Schroeder, 40, of S. Ocean Avenue, Freeport, after seeing him trying to break into a van in Municipal Parking Field 23, near Clinton Avenue.

According to police, while walking home from the fireworks on Saturday night, Quigley saw Schroeder attempting to break into the Ford van. After Quigley confronted him, Schroeder allegedly ran from the scene. Quigley chased him through the field, to N. Park Avenue, left on to Grand Avenue and right on to St. Marks Place where he dashed into a driveway, eluding Quigley. But while running after Schroeder, Quigley was able to call village police on his mobile phone. Responding officers quickly set up a perimeter and shortly after initiating a search, they spotted the suspect who again took off on foot. Rockville Centre Police Officer Mike Willet caught Schroeder in Hickey Field at Sunrise Highway and Morris Avenue, chasing him over a six-foot fence. Quigley was then able to positively identify Schroeder in a police lineup.

“Hopefully every resident is vigilant and if you see something not quite right, please call the police department and leave it to the professionals,” said Quigley. “Every neighbor needs to be considerate and compassionate for his or her neighbor and the community.”

On parole for a previous burglary conviction, Schroeder was charged with criminal mischief, attempted larceny, possession of burglar’s tools and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

“Frank did an outstanding job,” said Police Commissioner Charles Gennario, “putting out an excellent description while in foot pursuit, and notifying police via cell phone, allowing us to set up a perimeter.”