Cover photo: D.A. Tierney announces developments in the Gilgo Beach case in Riverhead on Tuesday morning (Credit – Matt Meduri)
For nearly three months, small business owners across Suffolk County locked up their stores at night, only to return the next morning to shattered glass and stolen cash. Now, prosecutors say the man responsible for these bold, late-night break-ins is finally facing justice.
Michael Parise, 49, of Selden, has been indicted on ten counts of third-degree burglary, along with attempted burglary, petit larceny, and criminal mischief charges. Suffolk County prosecutors allege that between November 2024 and February 2025, Parise broke into ten businesses, attempted an eleventh burglary, and even stole from a McDonald’s donation box—all before being arrested in early February.
District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) made it clear that law enforcement will not tolerate criminals targeting hardworking business owners.
“We will not stand by while criminals prey on businesses that form the backbone of our local economy and provide services to our residents,” Tierney said. “Business owners deserve to feel safe when they open for the day and lock up for the night, and we intend to hold those who violate that sense of safety accountable.”
Prosecutors say Parise had a pattern—smash the glass doors or windows, grab whatever cash he could find, and disappear before police arrived. His alleged crime spree spanned multiple towns, hitting restaurants, gyms, a salon, a bagel shop, and even an animal hospital.
Some of these businesses were hit in the middle of the night, while one theft happened during business hours.
Here’s a timeline of where and when prosecutors say Parise struck:
November 27, 2024 – Subway (Stony Brook)
December 16, 2024 – Ssambap Korean BBQ (Stony Brook)
December 24, 2024 – Orangetheory Fitness (Stony Brook)
December 26, 2024 – Hype Cut and Color Bar Hair Salon (Smithtown)
December 26, 2024 – Rebel Kickboxing Gym (Smithtown)
December 27, 2024 – Taino’s Cafe and Lounge (Coram)
January 5, 2025 – Bagel of Stony Brook Cafe (Stony Brook)
January 30, 2025 – Kimochi Bubble Tea (Selden)
February 2, 2025 – Subway (Selden)
February 2, 2025 – Middle Country Animal Hospital (Selden)
One of the most shameless thefts, according to prosecutors, happened on December 26 at a McDonald’s in Stony Brook. Instead of breaking in after hours, Parise allegedly stole $20 from the Ronald McDonald House donation box—while the restaurant was open for business.
Over the course of his spree, Parise allegedly stole $7,413 in cash and a cell phone, leaving small business owners to clean up the damage.
After months of searching, police finally caught up with Parise on February 2, 2025. He allegedly tried to break into Peking Chinese Kitchen in Selden that morning but failed. Officers tracked him three miles away to Coram, where he was arrested later that day.
It turns out, police say, that Peking Chinese Kitchen wasn’t the only business Parise targeted that morning. Just a short walk away, two other businesses—the Subway restaurant and the Middle Country Animal Hospital—had already been burglarized before sunrise.
Parise was arraigned on February 19 before Supreme Court Justice Timothy D. Mazzei, where he was hit with multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, 10 counts of ; Burglary in the Third Degree (Class D felonies); 1 count of Attempted Burglary in the Third Degree (Class E felony); 1 count of Petit Larceny (Class A misdemeanor); and 1 count of Criminal Mischief (Class A misdemeanor).
Judge Mazzei set Parise’s bail at $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or a $2,000,000 partially secured bond, ensuring he won’t easily walk free before trial.
Parise faces between three-and-a-half and seven years in prison for each burglary charge if convicted.
He is currently being represented by the Legal Aid Society and will return to court on March 20, 2025.
This isn’t the first time Parise has been accused of a string of burglaries. Law enforcement sources say he was arrested back in 2021 for allegedly burglarizing ten Suffolk County businesses in a nearly identical crime spree. Some of the same businesses he allegedly targeted this time were also victims of his 2021 arrest.
Prosecutors will likely use his past charges to argue for a lengthy sentence.
For many small business owners in Suffolk County, Parise’s arrest is a relief.
“It was scary not knowing if my place was next,” said one local restaurant owner who asked to remain anonymous. “We work hard every day, and the thought of someone breaking in and taking what we’ve earned is frustrating.”
Another business owner, whose shop was broken into, said the damage to the storefront alone cost more than what was stolen.
“It’s not just about the money they take,” they explained. “It’s the repairs, the lost business, the feeling of being violated. It makes it harder to stay afloat.”
Residents are also concerned about repeat offenders slipping through the cracks.
“This guy was arrested for the same thing before, and now he’s doing it again?” asked one Selden resident. “What’s stopping him from doing this a third time if he gets out?”
D.A. Tierney made it clear that his office is taking these crimes seriously.
“These businesses are the heart of our community. They provide jobs, services, and economic growth. We will not allow criminals to threaten that,” he said.
Tierney has pushed for tougher penalties for repeat offenders, arguing that lenient policies have emboldened criminals.
Parise remains in custody as he awaits his next court appearance in March. Given his history, prosecutors will likely push for a stiff sentence.
