Village Administrator Thwarts Car Thief

Village Administrator Frank Quigley is a well-respected village official who has gained accolades for his work ethic and dedication to the village.

You can now add crime fighter to his list of accomplishments.

Quigley, while walking home after the fireworks on Saturday, saw a man attempting to break into a van in Field No. 23. Quigley confronted the man about what he was doing, and the subject fled. 

Quigley called the police while he chased the subject. The subject ran into backyards, and a perimeter was set up by responding police units. Cops searched through several backyards and spotted the subject, who then ran from police.

A foot pursuit followed and Police Officer Mike Willet apprehended the subject in Hickey Field, chasing the subject over a six-foot fence. A show-up was conducted and Quigley positively identified the subject.

Gregory P. Schroeder, 40, of Freeport, was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, attempted larceny, possession of burglars tools and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Schroeder is a parolee for burglary.

"I've lived in Rockville Centre my whole life, and this is a community of human beings and each one of us looks out for everyone else," Quigley said. "That's what holds any community together."

Police Commissioner Charles Gennario said Quigley did an outstanding job of putting out an excellent description out while in foot pursuit and notifying the police via his cell phone.

Quigley said he was only doing what he thought was right. "It's good for all of us, to be considerate and be aware and alert," he said. "We're helping our neighbors. If we see something that doesnt quite fit it, the best thing to do is call the police."