Man Who Stole East Meadow Doctor's Car Convicted of Other Burglaries

A jury has convicted Emania Shepard of multiple burglary charges after a two-month spree in which he stole cell phones, wallets, a laptop computer and the fire emergency vehicle of an East Meadow doctor, according to Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

It took a jury three hours Wednesday to convict Shepard, 51, of Freeport, of Burglary in the Second Degree, four counts of Burglary in the Third Degree, five counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, and nine counts of Petit Larceny. He faces up to 15 years in prison at his April 17 sentencing.

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Rice said that between December 2011 and January 2012, Shepard stole from one residential apartment and six businesses, including a laptop computer from a Jericho gym on December 17, 2011, and six days later, a wallet and a set of car keys from two employees’ jackets in a Baldwin music store.

On Jan. 9, 2012, Shepard entered the open door of a Rockville Centre apartment and stole jewelry before being discovered by the resident’s 12-year-old daughter and fleeing the scene. Two days later, Shepard entered the personal office of an East Meadow pediatrician and stole his keys, then used the keys to steal the doctor’s Jeep. The Jeep was equipped with lights and sirens so that the doctor could respond to fires and other emergencies. The vehicle was discovered by police officers four days later.

On Jan. 31, 2012, Shepard used the bathroom of a Lynbrook brokerage agency before stealing an employee’s keys. Shepard used the keys to enter the victim’s car and steal his cell phone, a CD case, and a pair of sunglasses. Shepard then went into a nearby clothing store and stole three hats. Shepard’s spree ended shortly thereafter when he was caught by employees of a nearby music store trying to steal a cell phone. Responding Lynbrook Police Department officers brought Shepard to the Nassau County Police Department’s Fifth Precinct, where he was recognized by a detective investigating the Rockville Centre and East Meadow burglaries.

Shepard was acquitted of one count each of Burglary in the Third Degree, Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle in the Third Degree, and Petit Larceny.

“This defendant took every available opportunity, from an unlocked door to an unwatched coat closet, to steal from his victims,” Rice said. “His willingness to blatantly steal from anyone and everyone made a criminal conviction inevitable, and his utter disregard for the laws that protect our communities has landed him in a prison cell for a very long time.”

Assistant District Attorneys Jesse Aviram and Elan Schefflein of the DA’s County Court Trial Bureau are prosecuting the case. Shepard is represented by Meredith Bettenhauser, Esq.