Tag:

Grand Larceny

Athletic Director At School District In NY Accused Of 'Sextortion' Of Teen Athletic Director At School District In NY Accused Of 'Sextortion' Of Teen
Athletic Director At School District In NY Accused Of 'Sextortion' Of Teen This story has been updated. An athletic director at a school district in Westchester County has been arrested and charged in connection with allegedly extorting a teenager to send sexually explicit images and videos. Thomas James Puccini, 28 years old and employed as the Interim Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics by the Eastchester Union Free School District, was arrested on Friday, Nov. 1. He was charged with felony grand larceny in the fourth degree and was arraigned in White Plains City Court by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. Puccini has been pla…
School Aide Accused Of Falsifying Payroll Records In Uniondale School Aide Accused Of Falsifying Payroll Records In Uniondale
School Aide Accused Of Falsifying Payroll Records In Uniondale A Long Island school aide has been accused of falsifying payroll records claiming to work with a special needs student. Keenya Lessey, age 48, of Baldwin, allegedly submitted 19 falsified timesheets claiming to have worked with the fourth-grader with special needs in the Hempstead Union Free School District when she was not, and wrongfully collected more than $10,000 in pay, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said. Timesheets claimed Lessey worked full-time with the student at the Academy Charter School in Uniondale during winter break and other d…
19-Year-Old Who Fatally Shot Man Outside Long Island Nightclub Gets Decades In Prison 19-Year-Old Who Fatally Shot Man Outside Long Island Nightclub Gets Decades In Prison
19-Year-Old Who Fatally Shot Man Outside Long Island Nightclub Gets Decades In Prison A 19-year-old gang member who confessed to fatally shooting a man and injuring two others outside a Long Island nightclub will spend decades behind bars. David Trent, of Mastic Beach, was sentenced to 28 years in prison in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, Oct. 30. It followed his guilty plea to manslaughter and related charges in the death of Jorge Mauricio Sevilla Berrera. Earlier Report: 19-Year-Old Admits Fatally Shooting Man Outside Farmingville Nightclub Prosecutors said Trent – a member of the criminal street organization, “No Fake Love,” or “NFL” – was with several other g…
Long Island Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say Long Island Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say
Long Island Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say A months-long investigation has led to the arrest of a man who authorities say impersonated a federal agent and used fear and intimidation to convince a Long Island victim to hand over money. On Friday, Oct. 25, the suspect, Om Parkash, age 31, of Queens, was charged with second-degree grand larceny (a Class C felony). In late July of 2023, Parkash contacted the victim in Sag Harbor stating she was involved in a fraud scheme involving large amounts of money, according to New York State Police.  From there, Parkash advised the victim she would have to give money to “federal a…
$5.78M Scam: Garden City Attorney Admits Defrauding 48 Victims In Real Estate Transactions $5.78M Scam: Garden City Attorney Admits Defrauding 48 Victims In Real Estate Transactions
$5.78M Scam: Garden City Attorney Admits Defrauding 48 Victims In Real Estate Transactions A New York attorney has admitted to running a scheme to defraud victims of nearly $6,000,000. Long Island resident Daniel Boldi, age 49, of Garden City acted as settlement agent and bank attorney in multiple property sales on Long Island and embezzled millions of dollars of his clients’ escrow and home loan funds, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly. The scam involved 46 separate real estate transactions between September 2020 and January 2024, Donnelly said. Boldi pleaded guilty to 13 counts of grand larceny in the second degree (a Class C felony) and o…
Phone Scammer Swindles $32K From Roslyn Heights Woman, Police Say Phone Scammer Swindles $32K From Roslyn Heights Woman, Police Say
Phone Scammer Swindles $32K From Roslyn Heights Woman, Police Say An alleged phone scammer convinced a Long Island woman to fork over tens of thousands of dollars, police said. Nassau County Police said the 65-year-old Roslyn Heights woman contacted the agency on Wednesday, Oct. 16, saying she had been the victim of a scam. She told investigators that she received a call from “Amazon” regarding her iPad and was directed to speak with a purported agent at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report fraud. After contacting the purported FTC, the woman was informed that she had open warrants and was directed to meet a federal agent on the corner of Power H…
Thief Makes Off With $66K Watch From Garden City Jeweler, Police Say Thief Makes Off With $66K Watch From Garden City Jeweler, Police Say
Thief Makes Off With $66K Watch From Garden City Jeweler, Police Say A suspected luxury watch thief was nabbed months after allegedly swindling a Long Island jeweler. The theft occurred in Garden City, at the Gross Jewelers on Franklin Avenue, at around 4:20 p.m. Thursday, July 18. Nassau County Police said a man requested to look at multiple Rolex watches. As the salesperson was showing the merchandise with the display drawer open, the man distracted him and removed a watch valued at $66,750. The suspect then placed the watch in his pocket and eventually left the store without paying. On Tuesday, Oct. 15, police said 27-year-old Costica Alexandru, of Que…
Drunk Driver Steals Uber Driver’s Car, Crashes It On Long Island Police Drunk Driver Steals Uber Driver’s Car, Crashes It On Long Island Police
Drunk Driver Steals Uber Driver’s Car, Crashes It On Long Island Police A drunk driver was apprehended after he stole an Uber driver's car at a Long Island shopping center and then crashed it moments later, according to authorities. An Uber driver in Commack left the motor running in his 2012 Honda Accord in the parking lot of a shopping center at 88 Veterans Memorial Highway as he was picking up a food order to be delivered, Suffolk County Police said. A man got into the vehicle while it was unattended. and drove away. The vehicle crashed into a curb and a fire hydrant a short distance away.  The man exited the vehicle and fled on foot into a …
Business Owner From LI Who Scammed Customers Steals Wallet At Gym: Police Business Owner From LI Who Scammed Customers Steals Wallet At Gym: Police
Business Owner From LI Who Scammed Customers Steals Wallet At Gym: Police A 36-year-old former business owner from Long Island who admitted to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from customers was apprehended after stealing a wallet from a Northern Westchester gym and using a credit card inside in the Hudson Valley, police said. The theft happened in Yorktown on Tuesday, Oct. 1, when a wallet was stolen from Club Fit at 600 Bank Rd., Yorktown Police said on Friday, Oct. 4.  Investigators quickly realized that the victim's credit card had recently been used in Putnam County, and when they obtained surveillance video from this location, they were able t…
Suspect Nabbed After Scamming $16K From Long Island Woman: Police Suspect Nabbed After Scamming $16K From Long Island Woman: Police
Suspect Nabbed After Scamming $16K From Long Island Woman: Police A suspect is in custody after allegedly scamming a Long Island woman out of thousands of dollars. The 77-year-old received an alert on her computer indicating that her bank account had been compromised and instructing her to call the number listed on the screen.  She called the number, and a man convinced her to withdraw cash from her bank account.  The man picked up more than $16,000 in cash from her residence on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at approximately 1:30 p.m., said Suffolk County Police. The victim received another call on Thursday, Oct. 3 seeking an additiona…
19-Year-Old Admits Fatally Shooting Man Outside Long Island Nightclub 19-Year-Old Admits Fatally Shooting Man Outside Long Island Nightclub
19-Year-Old Admits Fatally Shooting Man Outside Long Island Nightclub A 19-year-old gang member confessed to fatally shooting a man outside a Long Island nightclub and injuring two others. David Trent, of Mastic Beach, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Monday, Sept. 30, in the death of Jorge Mauricio Sevilla Barrera. Prosecutors said Trent – a member of the criminal street organization, “No Fake Love,” or “NFL” – was with several other gang members outside the now-closed Minx nightclub in Farmingville on Dec. 5, 2021, when they got into a confrontation with Barrera and his friends. The argument turned physical and …
Suspect Slips Out Of Handcuffs, Flees In Troopers' Cruiser On Southern State: Police Suspect Slips Out Of Handcuffs, Flees In Troopers' Cruiser On Southern State: Police
Suspect Slips Out Of Handcuffs, Flees In Troopers' Cruiser On Southern State: Police An allegedly drunk suspect who slipped out of handcuffs and fled from troopers in a New York State Police cruiser on the Southern State Parkway was apprehended a short time later. On Friday, Sept. 27, at about 5:25 a.m., state police responded to a property damage crash on the roadway near Exit 39 in the town of Babylon. Troopers interviewed the driver, John Gibson, age 37, of Copiague, and suspected he may be under the influence of alcohol and or drugs, according to state police. Gibson failed Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and was placed under arrest, handcuffed, and seat-belted into …
Man Claiming To Be Walmart Worker Scams New Hyde Park Woman Out Of $20K: Police Man Claiming To Be Walmart Worker Scams New Hyde Park Woman Out Of $20K: Police
Man Claiming To Be Walmart Worker Scams New Hyde Park Woman Out Of $20K: Police A phone call claiming to protect a Long Island resident's savings ended in a $20,000 scam, according to authorities. The victim, a 69-year-old New Hyde Park woman, received the call from an unknown man who falsely identified himself as a Walmart employee, according to Nassau County Police. The man advised the victim that there was fraudulent activity on her account and that the victim’s Social Security number was compromised.  The victim was then instructed to move her money out of her bank account to protect it. On Monday, September 9, the victim withdrew $20,000 and met with …
Scammer Posing As Microsoft Employee Tries Draining East Meadow Man's Savings, Police Say Scammer Posing As Microsoft Employee Tries Draining East Meadow Man's Savings, Police Say
Scammer Posing As Microsoft Employee Tries Draining East Meadow Man's Savings, Police Say A 26-year-old man is accused of targeting a Long Island resident through an elaborate computer scam. Nassau County Police said an 82-year-old East Meadow man contacted detectives at around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, saying he had received a message on his computer from someone claiming to be an employee for Microsoft. The purported employee told the man that his bank accounts had been compromised and that he needed to withdraw all of his savings and “await further instructions” about where to send the funds. Fortunately, the victim realized he was being scammed and immediately contacted…
Duo Nabbed After Item Worth $5.7K Stolen From Store In Lawrence: Police Duo Nabbed After Item Worth $5.7K Stolen From Store In Lawrence: Police
Duo Nabbed After Item Worth $5.7K Stolen From Store In Lawrence: Police A pair of suspects are in custody after police say an item worth thousands of dollars was stolen from a Long Island store. The alleged incident happened around 2:50 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, in Lawrence, at Kay Jewelers at 331 Rockaway Turnpike. Responding officers were informed that a man had fled the store with a necklace that he was trying on valued at approximately $5,700, according to Nassau County Police. Officers canvassed the nearby area and located Demari Harvey, 21, of Rosedale, Queens. He was placed under arrest without incident in the vicinity of Branch Boulevard and Redwood Drive.…
Drug-Carrying Burglar Nabbed After Stealing Thousands From Williston Park Business, Police Say Drug-Carrying Burglar Nabbed After Stealing Thousands From Williston Park Business, Police Say
Drug-Carrying Burglar Nabbed After Stealing Thousands From Williston Park Business, Police Say An accused burglar is behind bars after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from a Long Island business. Nassau County Police said officers responded to Yummy Gyro, located in Williston Park on Willis Avenue, for a burglary shortly before 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2. An investigation found that someone broke into the restaurant and stole approximately $3,000 from a lockbox and another $500 from a cash register. Officers located 49-year-old Anthony Miola, of Mineola, in a nearby parking lot after identifying him as a suspect. He was arrested on suspicion of burglary, grand larceny, and…
Ex-Manager Who Stole From Autistic Residents At Long Island Care Facility Gets Prison Ex-Manager Who Stole From Autistic Residents At Long Island Care Facility Gets Prison
Ex-Manager Who Stole From Autistic Residents At Long Island Care Facility Gets Prison A former manager of a residential care facility on Long Island will serve prison time for stealing from developmentally disabled residents. Desiree Etheridge, age 50, of North Carolina, was sentenced to one to three years behind bars in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, Aug. 29, after pleading guilty to felony grand larceny. According to prosecutors, Etheridge worked as a facility manager at Eden II in St. James. As part of her responsibilities, she regularly withdrew cash from residents’ bank accounts to place in their petty cash envelope so they could go shopping. Earlier Report: …
Ex-LI Town Employee Admits Stealing $56K Of Deceased Mother's Pension Funds Ex-LI Town Employee Admits Stealing $56K Of Deceased Mother's Pension Funds
Ex-LI Town Employee Admits Stealing $56K Of Deceased Mother's Pension Funds A former town employee on Long Island confessed to stealing thousands of dollars from his deceased mother’s pension funds. Moses Johnson, age 63, of Huntington, pleaded guilty to grand larceny in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Prosecutors said Johnson’s mother died in April 2021 and he never notified the bank or the New York State and Local Retirement System of her death. Between April 2021 and June 2022, he collected a total of 15 unauthorized payments totaling $56,411. The stolen funds were traced from Johnson’s mother’s bank account into his bank account. Johnson worked for …
Hicksville Woman Accused Of Stealing Nearly $340K From Her Employer In Plainview Hicksville Woman Accused Of Stealing Nearly $340K From Her Employer In Plainview
Hicksville Woman Accused Of Stealing Nearly $340K From Her Employer In Plainview A Long Island woman has been accused of stealing nearly $340,000 from her employee. An extensive investigation revealed that Elizabeth Stern, age 52, of Hicksville, was responsible for stealing from her former employer, Superior Air Condition & Heating Systems Inc., in Plainview. Detectives state that over 18 months, Stern paid off her personal credit cards with checks that were stolen from the victim, totaling approximately $301,958.  During that same period, she also cashed checks totaling approximately $38,000.  She was arrested at her residence without incident late Tue…
Suspect Nabbed In String Of Thefts At Adelphi University Suspect Nabbed In String Of Thefts At Adelphi University
Suspect Nabbed In String Of Thefts At Adelphi University A man is accused in a string of thefts that occurred at a Long Island college. Garden City Police arrested Austin Withers, age 28, of Hempstead, at his Crowell Street residence on suspicion of grand larceny and related charges Saturday, Aug. 24. According to police, Withers was seen stealing a wallet inside the Adelphi University library in Garden City on Tuesday, June 18.  He allegedly used credit cards found in the wallet to make purchases at the Jamaica train station. Detectives said he also stole an Apple Air Pod valued at $250 from the campus’ University Center and stole credit …
Ex-Long Island Attorney Who Stole $800K From Clients Gets Prison Time Ex-Long Island Attorney Who Stole $800K From Clients Gets Prison Time
Ex-Long Island Attorney Who Stole $800K From Clients Gets Prison Time A former New York attorney is heading to prison after confessing that he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from his clients. Former Long Island resident Douglas Valente, age 57, now of Florida, was sentenced to between one and four years in prison in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, Aug. 22. Prosecutors said Valente, the former principal attorney at the Valente Law Group in Stony Brook, stole more than $800,000 from three former clients by taking money from his escrow account. Earlier Report: Former NY Attorney Stole Nearly $1M From Clients, DA Says Among the victims was a cl…
Trio Recruits Own Kids To Steal From Nassau County Macy's, Police Say Trio Recruits Own Kids To Steal From Nassau County Macy's, Police Say
Trio Recruits Own Kids To Steal From Nassau County Macy's, Police Say Three people are accused of recruiting their own children to help them steal from a Macy’s store on Long Island. The incident happened in East Garden City, at Roosevelt Field Mall, shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. According to Nassau County Police, a security guard stopped two women and a man who left the store while concealing dozens of items that weren't paid for. The trio were accompanied by three children, ages 3, 10, and 13. Together, the group stole 67 pieces of merchandise by concealing items inside bags and a stroller, police said. The following suspects were arrested with…
Man Enters Occupied Babylon Home, Steals Keys, Then Dodge Ram In Driveway: Police Man Enters Occupied Babylon Home, Steals Keys, Then Dodge Ram In Driveway: Police
Man Enters Occupied Babylon Home, Steals Keys, Then Dodge Ram In Driveway: Police A local man has been apprehended after police say he burglarized a Long Island home and stole a truck. Suffolk County Police First Precinct officers responded to a 911 call reporting an unknown person had stolen a vehicle from the driveway of the Babylon residence on Araca Road just after 7 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11. Officers found the homeowner had followed the man in the stolen 2020 Dodge Ram and was able to stop him in front of another home a short distance away on The Crescent, according to Suffolk County Police. Officers took the man, Daniel Shiels, age 43, of…
Ex-Con Repeatedly Beats, Robs Woman On Long Island, Police Say Ex-Con Repeatedly Beats, Robs Woman On Long Island, Police Say
Ex-Con Repeatedly Beats, Robs Woman On Long Island, Police Say A violent ex-convict is accused of beating and robbing a woman on Long Island. Phillip Mais, age 35, of Queens, was arrested on assault and related charges by Nassau County Police Tuesday, Aug. 6. Officers were called around 10:30 p.m. by a 43-year-old woman claiming she and Mais got into an argument and he forcibly removed her from her vehicle. Mais then grabbed her around the neck and threatened her with a gun, she told police. He allegedly then entered her home and damaged several items. Police located Mais a short time later and arrested him without incident. The victim declined medi…
Duo Steals $275K Diamond Watch From Long Island Jeweler, Police Say Duo Steals $275K Diamond Watch From Long Island Jeweler, Police Say
Duo Steals $275K Diamond Watch From Long Island Jeweler, Police Say Two men are accused of stealing a diamond watch worth more than a quarter-million dollars from a Long Island jeweler. The theft occurred in Greenvale, at the Loucri Jewelers located on Northern Boulevard, at around 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 17. Nassau County Police said two men entered the store and one distracted the salesperson while the other concealed a Audemars Piguet Royal Oak custom diamond watch. The watch is valued at $275,325. The pair then fled in a Ford SUV. On Thursday, Aug. 1, police arrested Petru Magdas, age 49, and Petru Munteanu, age 28, both of Queens Village, Queens, a…
'Breach Of Trust': Ex-Manager Admits Stealing From Residents Of Long Island Care Facility 'Breach Of Trust': Ex-Manager Admits Stealing From Residents Of Long Island Care Facility
'Breach Of Trust': Ex-Manager Admits Stealing From Residents Of Long Island Care Facility The former manager of a residential care facility on Long Island is facing prison time after admitting she stole from residents. Desiree Etheridge, age 50, of North Carolina, pleaded guilty to grand larceny in Suffolk County Court on Monday, July 29. According to prosecutors, Etheridge worked as a facility manager at Eden II in St. James. As part of her responsibilities, she regularly withdrew cash from residents’ bank accounts to place in their petty cash envelope so they could go shopping. She admitted that between November 2018 and June 2021 she stole money from the ATM cards of six res…
27-Year-Old Injures Cops After 'Disturbance' At Long Island Planet Fitness: Police 27-Year-Old Injures Cops After 'Disturbance' At Long Island Planet Fitness: Police
27-Year-Old Injures Cops After 'Disturbance' At Long Island Planet Fitness: Police A 27-year-old man is accused of injuring police officers who responded to a call at a Long Island gym. Nassau County Police were called about a disturbance at the Planet Fitness in Merrick, located on Merrick Road, shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday, July 21. As they were arriving, Getho Brevette, of Merrick, drove away heading westbound on Merrick Road. Moments later, he crashed into another vehicle before leaving the scene and returning to Planet Fitness, police said. Officers approached the man, who became combative when they attempted to arrest him.  According to police, Brevette threw…
New Jersey Man Injures Officer On Long Island After Breaking Restraining Order: Police New Jersey Man Injures Officer On Long Island After Breaking Restraining Order: Police
New Jersey Man Injures Officer On Long Island After Breaking Restraining Order: Police A New Jersey man is facing charges including assault and more after he allegedly broke a restraining order and later injured a police officer during his arrest. The Baldwin incident occurred on Saturday, July 13, according to Nassau County Police. At about 4:30 p.m. on that day, 36-year-old Horace Rattigan was allegedly in a verbal argument with a woman at Coes Neck Park, located at 1240 Coes Neck Road. Rattigan, an Essex County resident from the township of Montclair, stole the woman’s cell phone and fled the park on foot. Authorities located Rattigan nearby and attempted to arrest …
'FTC Worker' Scams Long Island Victim Out Of $390K In Gold Bars, Police Say 'FTC Worker' Scams Long Island Victim Out Of $390K In Gold Bars, Police Say
'FTC Worker' Scams Long Island Victim Out Of $390K In Gold Bars, Police Say A scammer posing as a government employee conned a Long Island victim out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, police allege. Nassau County Police arrested Yash Shah, age 25, of Baldwin, on suspicion of grand larceny on Tuesday, July 16. According to detectives, in early June 2023 a 73-year-old New Hyde Park man received a notification on his computer telling him that his device had been compromised and that he needed to contact the phone number shown. When the victim called the number, someone claiming to work for the Federal Trade Commission instructed him to buy six gold bars totaling n…
Man Nabbed For $85K Roofing Scam On Long Island: Police Man Nabbed For $85K Roofing Scam On Long Island: Police
Man Nabbed For $85K Roofing Scam On Long Island: Police A New Jersey man was arrested on charges including grand larceny after he allegedly scammed a Long Islander into giving him money to fix her home’s roof. Danny Burton, age 26, was arrested on Monday, July 1 for the North New Hyde Park scheme, Nassau County Police said. Starting on Wednesday, June 26, Burton allegedly approached a 74-year-old woman at her North Fourth Street home. He told the woman he was a roof contractor and convinced her that her roof needed repairs. Burton reportedly told the woman to withdraw money from her bank account to pay him on multiple occasions. In total, …
Long Island Business Owners Dodge Prison After $1M Sales Tax Fraud Scheme Long Island Business Owners Dodge Prison After $1M Sales Tax Fraud Scheme
Long Island Business Owners Dodge Prison After $1M Sales Tax Fraud Scheme Two Long Island business owners will avoid prison after confessing that they intentionally dodged income taxes to line their pockets. Brian Soltan, age 62, of West Islip, and Gerald McCrystal, age 51, of Dix Hills, were both ordered to pay six-figure restitution payments in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, June 26. According to prosecutors, Soltan admitted that he intentionally failed to report more than $2.8 million in taxable sales between January 2011 and November 2015 from several auto body businesses he owned in East Islip. Those companies included Long Island Auto Body, Long Islan…