The FBI is investigating whether an NYPD detective has been moonlighting — as part of a burglary crew. This type of stuff does happen but the thing I don’t understand is why would you break into a home for $2,500? It doesn’t even seem worth it.
Rafael (Ray) Astacio was caught red-handed after a break-in at a Long Island home earlier this month, and authorities think he works with a team that pulled off other capers in New York City, sources told the Daily News.
The FBI is also probing whether the 14-year veteran committed any crimes or was involved in corruption during his years as a vice cop and sex-crimes investigator, law enforcement sources said.
For now, Astacio, 39, has only been charged with second-degree burglary. Freed on $2,500 on bail, he was suspended from the NYPD without pay a day after his arrest.
Reached at his home in Copiague, L.I., where a shiny black Mercedes C300 was parked in the recently redone driveway, Astacio hung up without commenting.
He was collared June 3 after he and three accomplices broke into the Lindenhurst home of diner owner Anastasios Matheos, according to court papers.
