LINDENHURST, NY – A 23-year-old pharmacy worker who was called in to cover a shift on Christmas was stabbed to death inside a Long Island CVS store, prompting police to criticize the company for delaying the release of surveillance footage.
Edeedson Cine Jr. had worked at the Montauk Highway location for nearly a year but was not scheduled to work on the holiday. He never made it home after agreeing to fill in for a colleague.
John Pilaccio, 43, of Lindenhurst, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing, which occurred around 6:50 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina expressed frustration with CVS over the handling of security footage.
“It appeared that this poor kid went to work on Christmas, he was assaulted while working behind the counter,” Catalina said. “The video shouldn’t have been held for 18 minutes let alone 18 hours.”
CVS responded that the footage was sent at 12:30 p.m. Friday, explaining that time was needed to package it as requested by investigators.
Detectives worked overnight interviewing witnesses and canvassing exterior video from nearby businesses to identify Pilaccio as a person of interest.
The motive for the attack has not been disclosed. Pilaccio was scheduled for arraignment Saturday.
Cine’s family and coworkers are mourning the loss of the young man who simply wanted to help out on the holiday.
