Doctor's emergency vehicle stolen from office

EAST MEADOW, N.Y.

Police want to catch him because that car has flashing red lights, sirens and a police radio.

As calm as can be, the man strolls into the pediatrician's office in East Meadow, with an office full of children, and steals the doctor's keys.

They're not just the keys to any old car.

Multiple surveillance cameras captured him.

He was seen trying a locked door then heading for the front entrance to the pediatrician's office.

The door is armed with a security buzzer, but a mother heading out unwittingly lets him in.

He saunters by the front desk and down the hall, passing examining rooms full of children and families.

He makes for the doctor's study, finds car keys in a coat pocket, and gets away with Dr. John Zaso's Jeep.

"First and foremost that he would walk into the office, with children here, that's somebody who is very brazen," Dr. Zaso said.

But there's another issue.

Dr. Zaso is also the medical director for the Merrick, Uniondale, and Westbury Fire Departments.

He responds to their fire calls and so this Jeep, now stolen, is rigged with lights and sirens.

"I just don't want him using the car to pull people over to use it for another crime, that's the biggest problem, it's nondescript, and that's the biggest risk with it, I just don't want to see that happen. The car is used to help people, not to cause more crime," Dr. Zaso said.

"Impersonating an officer, or impersonating a volunteer fireman, so hopefully, get the word out so that you can catch him," said Shannon Alter, a Massapequa resident.

"It's very scary," said a resident.

"I think it's a terrible crime," said another resident.

Police are looking for the man, as Dr. Zaso worries that this Jeep, outfitted for good may be used for anything but.

"The car is replaceable, that's not a big deal, but catch this guy so that he doesn't use the car for something worse," Dr. Zaso said.

The thief also stole the office manager's purse and handed it to an accomplice who is seen briefly on the tape.

The doctor does not recognize the thief, but he suspects there's a good chance he was watching the office.

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