The man nicknamed the “Ninja Burglar” allegedly broke into homes in three states, donned in an all-black outfit.
For a decade, Robert Costanzo took off with valuables worth millions of dollars from more than 100 break-ins, authorities said.
In some cases, he brazenly slipped into occupied homes in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, according to authorities.
During his criminal career, the defendant made off with $4 million in cash and goods, including jewelry and watches, Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon said in a statement.
The man nicknamed the “Ninja Burglar” allegedly broke into homes in three states, donning an all-black outfit. For a decade, Robert Costanzo took off with valuables worth millions of dollars from more than 100 break-ins, authorities said.
The county includes Staten Island, one of the areas targeted by the “Ninja Burglar.”
Costanzo allegedly broke into homes between 2005 and 2015.
Court appearance
After years of evading authorities, Costanzo will appear in court Thursday.
He’s been charged with three burglaries because the statute of limitations expired on the others, McMahon said.
After years of evading authorities he’s been charged with three burglaries. The statute of limitations expired on the others, McMahon said, adding that he is expected to plead guilty.
Costanzo has confessed to a majority of the burglaries and provided intimate details about the incidents, according to McMahon. Some of the details include information that was never released to the media.
Plea deal
Before his transfer to Staten Island, Costanzo pleaded guilty this week to a robbery in Connecticut, McMahon said.
Information on his attorney was not immediately available.
Constanzo is expected to accept a plea deal when he appears in court on three burglary charges, CNN affiliate WABC reported.
Each count carries three to 15 years in prison, the affiliate reported.
How did he get arrested?
Authorities said they identified him as the suspect following an 18-month investigation that started in October 2014.
Investigators from various states detected a pattern in the way the “Ninja Burglar” operated, and started physical and electronic surveillance of Costanza, who lived in Staten Island.
It became apparent that his break-ins went beyond Staten Island, according to McMahon.
In February, detectives met with the suspect and his lawyer and started working out details of a plea deal.
