Suffolk County Police on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 arrested a New Jersey man after he was involved in a hit-and-run crash and then stole another vehicle to flee the scene.
Jayson Merceda was driving a 2021 BMW on Charlemagne Drive in Nesconset when he crashed the vehicle into the home at 4 Charlemagne Drive at approximately 1 a.m. A resident of a nearby home came outside when he heard the crash and while he was outside, Merceda entered the man’s home, stole a set of car keys and then stole the man’s 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe.
A short time later, the Tahoe, occupied by Merceda, was located by a Fourth Precinct officer in the parking lot of Conoco, located at 3089 Middle County Road in Lake Grove.
Merceda, 29, of 8 East Walnut St., Colonia, was charged with Burglary 2nd Degree, Grand Larceny 2nd Degree, Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Property Damage and Criminal Mischief 4th Degree. He is scheduled to be arraigned on September 28 at First District Court in Central Islip.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
