Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
LI Couple Victims Of Terrifying Home Invasion
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 8, 2011
Modified Jan 8, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 8, 2011
Modified Jan 8, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A Long Island family were the victims of a terrifying home invasion yesterday, which had echoes of the horrific Connecticut home invasion-turned-triple murder. Two intruders, one carrying a gun, forced their way into the home of Thaddeus and Allesandra Lattanzio early Friday morning in Eastport in Suffolk County.
Thaddeus struggled with the assailants at first, but was overpowered, and eventually the couple was bound and blindfolded with tape. The men proceeded to ransack the house for jewelery and money, but Thaddeus was able to convince them he could get them more money if he could go to the bank. The two invaders stayed at the home with his wife, while he drove alone to a Chase bank five miles away, withdrawing an unknown sum from his account; but his demeanor caused an employee to call 911, according to police. Police intercepted him before he left the bank, and he told them about the home invasion. Police swarmed the neighborhood, surrounding the house while expecting a hostage situation. But instead, they found Allesandra unharmed and tied up in one of the couple's cars, and the robbers gone.
Thaddeus is the owner of T-Rex Recycling, and on their web site calls himself "The King of Junk Cars." Police believe the house was targeted, but don't think the victims knew the perps. Certain details of the home invasion were reminiscent of the Connecticut home invasion which led to the deaths of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, and her two daughters Michaela and Hayley. Hawke-Petit was also forced to go to a bank to withdraw more money in the middle of her home invasion.
Tagged
allesandra lattanzio
home invasion
long island
suffolk county
thaddeus lattanzio
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. ET
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .