2 face bias crime charges in LI chimney scam

Published September 3, 2014 10:31am ET



RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) — Two Long Island men posing as chimney inspectors are accused of burglarizing the homes of two elderly women.

Suffolk County prosecutors say the victims were a 92-year-old Bellport woman and a 77-year-old Huntington resident.

They say the suspects stole jewelry in the Huntington case from the victim’s bedroom.

At the Bellport residence, they allegedly stole $160 in cash and the victim’s prescription medication. The pair allegedly quoted a price of $3,000 for the chimney work and offered to drive the victim to her bank to withdraw the money.

The suspects face bias crime charges. They’re identified as 32-year-old Bruce Wimmer of Bohemia and 28-year-old Michael Windland of Lake Ronkonkoma.

They’re to be arraigned Wednesday on a grand jury indictment.

Information on their lawyers wasn’t immediately available.

The alleged scam occurred last month.