Riverside, New York

From Long Island’s Newsday of April 1, 2007

Salvage yard manager shoots alleged intruder

A Riverside man was shot in the groin Sunday after he was caught trying to burglarize an auto salvage yard, Southampton Town police said.

The manager of J&V Auto Salvage on South Country Road in Quiogue told police he spotted Albinas Augulis, 55, and one or more other suspects on his property at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Det. Sgt. Randy Hintze said.

Hintze said the manager contacted police, but then confronted the intruder as he waited for them to arrive. He ordered Augulis to the ground, but Augulis continued to approach him, and the manager, whose name was not released, shot Augulis in the groin, Hintze said.

Augulis was taken by helicopter to Stony Brook University Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery and is expected to survive.

He was issued a field appearance ticket and charged with criminal trespassing, possession of burglary tools and attempted larceny.

After the shooting, town and state police searched the area with the assistance of dogs and a helicopter from Suffolk County police, but found no other suspects, Hintze said.

Hintze said police are investigating whether Augulis made any direct threats toward the manager before the shooting. No charges have been filed against the manager.

The attempted robbery was the latest in a recent spate of burglaries at the yard, from which thieves have made away with car batteries and catalytic converters, Hintze said.