Break-in, Beating Lead to Big Drug Bust in Farmingdale

Nassau County Police detectives have charged three men after two of them broke into a Farmingdale home this weekend and struck the occupant in the head with a handgun.

When the victim called for help, Nassau police swarmed in and found the men inside and a wide assortment of drugs and guns.

The events began just before 3 a.m. Saturday when Edward D. Thomas, 23, of New York, and Chris J. Lee, 22, Brooklyn, burst into a Farmingdale home on 9th Avenue. Police said one of the men struck Damin E. Porcelli, 33, with a handgun. Porcelli fled and called police.

Officers from the Second Precinct, the Emergency Service units and the Bureau of Special Operations swarmed to the scene and secured the home. A short time later, the two men inside were taken into custody without incident.

Upon searching the home, police found a .357 revolver, a .25 caliber handgun, two defaced .380 caliber handguns, along with 771 glassine bags of heroin, 110 vials of crack cocaine, two jars of marijuana, three digital scales, assorted drug paraphernalia and an undetermined amount of cash.

Police determined the items and cash belong to Porcelli, who was placed under arrest. He was treated for a head laceration at the scene. Police believe the three men knew each other.

Thomas and Lee are charged with felony counts of burglary, criminal use of a firearm, and criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

Porcelli is charged with multiple drug charges and six counts of criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

All defendants will be arraigned on Sunday at First District Court in Hempstead.