NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Vincent Dougherty, 64, faced arraignment Wednesday, accused of multiple counts of burglary and attempted burglary across Nassau County’s North Shore. Presiding Judge Robert McDonald heard the case, where Dougherty was charged with three counts of Burglary in the Second Degree and four counts of Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree.
The court set his bail at $1 million cash, $1 million bond, or $5 million partially secured bond, with a return court date scheduled for May 30.
Dougherty, labeled as a discretionary persistent felony offender, risks a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison for each completed burglary if convicted. Over several months in 2021, he allegedly targeted homes in affluent areas, accessing them through unlocked doors or by breaking windows, and is said to have stolen luxury items like Hermes and Chanel handbags
The County District Attorney highlighted Dougherty’s decades-long criminal activities and the thorough police and prosecutorial work that linked him to these crimes.
The indictment details that Dougherty burglarized or attempted to burglarize homes on seven different occasions. Specific incidents include a theft of a Hermes handbag from a Brookville home on May 8, 2021, and a Chanel handbag from an Old Brookville residence on July 19, 2021. He also allegedly broke into a Muttontown home on September 11, 2021, where he stole a wallet containing cash and credit cards.
Further attempts included failed burglaries in Glen Head, Syosset, and Old Westbury throughout May, June, and September of 2021. Each incident was reportedly recorded on surveillance, aiding police in linking Dougherty to the crimes through video evidence and his clothing.
His arrest was made on Monday by detectives from the Nassau County Police Department’s 8th Precinct Squad.