Alleged Holiday Tip Thieves Arrested in Three Village

Suffolk police have arrested two people whom they say stole tips left by Three Village residents intended for their sanitation workers on Thursday.

Anthony Williamson, 20, of Setauket, was charged with petty larceny after a homeowner in Poquott said Williamson and two other people took a tip that was taped to a garbage pail for sanitation workers at 7:30 a.m. Thursday. The homeowner confronted them and then followed them as they fled, calling 911. Officer Todd Bradshaw located the vehicle in the driveway of Williamson's home and arrested him; the $200 tip was recovered. Police said they are still searching for the two other suspects.

In a separate incident, Denise Razzano, 29, of Centereach, was charged with petty larceny after allegedly stealing a tip for sanitation workers at the front door of a home on Bucknell Lane in Stony Brook. The homeowner confronted Razzano, who gave the card back and apologized, but fled when the homeowner said she would call the police. Officer Sean Keenan was able to locate Razzano; the investigation is continuing.

Following the two incidents, the Suffolk County Police Department issued a statement suggesting residents hand-deliver any tips for their sanitation workers.