Suspect linked to more than a dozen home burglaries in Nassau County

PORT WASHINGTON, Long Island (WABC) -- Police say a man already under arrest for burglary on Long Island has now been linked to more than a dozen additional burglaries.

Investigators believe eight of the seventeen burglaries happened in Port Washington, starting in November 2014.

31-year-old Mamuka Bokuchava is a server at an upscale Manhattan restaurant, and lives in Bay Parkway, Brooklyn. He is now charged with 17 counts of burglary. Bokuchava is a U.S. citizen who is originally from the country of Georgia. He is accused of stealing purses, jewelry and electronics worth more than $30,000.

Bokuchava was originally arrested on February 20th, and was charged with three conts of burglary. Then, after investigators obtained a search warrant to his apartment, they ended up connecting him to fourteen more cases. Now, he has been arraigned on the additional counts of burglary.

"He entered through a rear door or window, the most vulnerable part of your homes. We urge all residents to secure their property," said Nassau County Chief of Detectives Kevin Smith.

Bokuchava will be back in court on March 1st.

And now, something that rarely happens? Victims are being reunited with their belongings.