Tag:

Grand Larceny

$188K+ Check Forgery Scheme Ends In Arrest After Months-Long Investigation: Nassau PD $188K+ Check Forgery Scheme Ends In Arrest After Months-Long Investigation: Nassau PD
$188K+ Check Forgery Scheme Ends In Arrest After Months-Long Investigation: Nassau PD A months-long investigation has culminated in the arrest of a 41-year-old Long Island man accused of orchestrating a sophisticated check forgery scheme that netted $188,320.55, police said. Adamantios Mathioudis, 41, of East Elmhurst, NY, became the center of the investigation on March 5, when the Fraud and Forgery Unit of the Major Case Squad received reports of two business checks intercepted after being mailed via the U.S. Postal Service, Nassau County police said. The payee sections on the checks were altered to reflect Mathioudis’ name, detectives said. The funds were then de…
$203K Cash, $80K Gold Bars Swindled From Nassau County Woman In Apple Scam $203K Cash, $80K Gold Bars Swindled From Nassau County Woman In Apple Scam
$203K Cash, $80K Gold Bars Swindled From Nassau County Woman In Apple Scam A Brooklyn man is accused of trying to scam an 80-year-old woman out of gold bars in Franklin Square, Nassau County police said on Thursday, Dec. 19. The victim received a text message claiming her Apple ID had been compromised, prompting her to call a phone number provided in the message, police said. She was connected to a man claiming to be a Chase Bank representative working with the FBI. Between Oct. 10 and Dec. 6, the man persuaded her to give him $203,000 in cash and gold bars "for safekeeping," according to investigators. On Thursday, Dec. 19, the man allegedly contacted the victim …
Immigrants Defrauded Out Of $40K By Fake Attorney: Nassau DA Immigrants Defrauded Out Of $40K By Fake Attorney: Nassau DA
Immigrants Defrauded Out Of $40K By Fake Attorney: Nassau DA A Ronkonkoma woman will spend up to four years in prison after posing as an immigration attorney and defrauding undocumented immigrants of more than $40,000, the Nassau County District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday, Dec. 18. Tania Gonzalez, 48, also known as Tania Ayala, pleaded guilty earlier this year to grand larceny and scheme to defraud charges. Between December 2015 and March 2020, Gonzalez falsely claimed to be an immigration lawyer, offering legal assistance to immigrants desperate for help, according to DA Anne T. Donnelly. The DA's investigation revealed that Gonzalez mi…
Scam Foiled As Man Nabbed Trying To Defraud Victim In Nassau County: Police Scam Foiled As Man Nabbed Trying To Defraud Victim In Nassau County: Police
Scam Foiled As Man Nabbed Trying To Defraud Victim In Nassau County: Police A Long Island man has been accused of scamming an elderly resident in a grandparent bail scheme and resisting arrest. Nassau County Police said the incident occurred on Friday, Nov. 22, at approximately 1:30 p.m. in South Farmingdale.  Detectives said New York City resident Cristhian Ortega Rodriguez, age 24, of the Bronx, posed as part of a scam targeting an 83-year-old man.  The victim received a phone call from someone claiming to be his grandson, who said he had been arrested and needed bail money. The victim was instructed to contact a lawyer, "Larry Hays," to arrange paymen…
Son Steals $80K In Pension Benefits Issued To Deceased Father In Long Beach, DA Says Son Steals $80K In Pension Benefits Issued To Deceased Father In Long Beach, DA Says
Son Steals $80K In Pension Benefits Issued To Deceased Father In Long Beach, DA Says For more than two years after his Long Island father’s death, a man stole thousands of dollars worth of his pension payments, prosecutors alleged. Richard Gaines Jr., age 51, of Daytona Beach, Florida, was arraigned on grand larceny and related charges in Nassau County Court on Friday, Nov. 22. Prosecutors said Gaines’ father, a former Long Beach resident, was the sole account holder of a bank account in which he received his New York State and Local Retirement System pension via direct deposit. After his father died in November 2019, pension deposits continued to flow into the account, t…
Serial Scammer Cons Port Washington, Hewlett Harbor Women Out Of Combined $25K, Police Say Serial Scammer Cons Port Washington, Hewlett Harbor Women Out Of Combined $25K, Police Say
Serial Scammer Cons Port Washington, Hewlett Harbor Women Out Of Combined $25K, Police Say A man with a history of financial scams successfully conned two Long Island women out of thousands of dollars, police alleged. Jaime Castillo, age 36, of the Bronx, was arrested on multiple counts of grand larceny on Wednesday, Nov. 20, after carrying out so-called “grandparent scams,” Nassau County Police said. A 90-year-old Port Washington woman contacted police on June 2, 2023 saying she had received a phone call from someone claiming to be “Raymond Allen,” a lawyer representing her grandchildren. Earlier Report: Duo Nabbed After Scamming Couple Out Of $9K In Westchester: Police …
Former Hempstead Co-Op Prez Dodges Prison After Embezzling $26K Former Hempstead Co-Op Prez Dodges Prison After Embezzling $26K
Former Hempstead Co-Op Prez Dodges Prison After Embezzling $26K The former president of a Long Island co-op formally confessed to embezzling tens of thousands of dollars. Juan Alayo, age 72, of East Meadow, pleaded guilty to grand larceny and related charges on Friday, Nov. 15. New York Attorney General Letitia James said Alayo embezzled more than $26,700 between 2016 and 2023, during his tenure as president of the Marlboro Owners Corporation cooperative in Hempstead. An investigation found that he routinely wrote checks to himself and his company, A&J, that were neither discussed nor approved by the co-op board. He concealed his thefts by falsifyi…
Therapist Steals Thousands From Children's Counseling Business In Westbury, Police Say Therapist Steals Thousands From Children's Counseling Business In Westbury, Police Say
Therapist Steals Thousands From Children's Counseling Business In Westbury, Police Say A licensed therapist is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a children’s counseling business on Long Island. Kimberly Clarke, age 44, of Valley Stream, was arrested on suspicion of grand larceny and related charges on Thursday, Nov. 14. Nassau County Police said Clarke, a former special instructions therapist at Family of Kidz in Westbury, billed the business for 52 therapy sessions that were never performed. In doing so, she forged five parent’s signatures a total of 52 times on official Nassau County documents, causing a loss of $2,886, police said. Clarke is charged with g…
Levittown Home Health Aide Steals Thousands Of Dollars From Patient, Police Say Levittown Home Health Aide Steals Thousands Of Dollars From Patient, Police Say
Levittown Home Health Aide Steals Thousands Of Dollars From Patient, Police Say A Long Island caregiver is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from her elderly patient. Relatives of a 90-year-old Babylon woman contacted New York State Police on Thursday, Oct. 24, after noticing several suspicious transactions on her bank statement. An investigation revealed that the woman’s home health aide, 39-year-old Jeneva Polwah, of Levittown, had used her debit card to make several Amazon purchases, police said. A total of $1,850 worth of Amazon purchases was charged to the victim’s card between June and October 2024. “Polwah misused her position of trust to steal money fr…
Teen Crashes Stolen Mercedes, Attempts To Assault Responding Officer In Hicksville: Police Teen Crashes Stolen Mercedes, Attempts To Assault Responding Officer In Hicksville: Police
Teen Crashes Stolen Mercedes, Attempts To Assault Responding Officer In Hicksville: Police A brazen burglary turned chaotic on Long Island as a man allegedly stole a vintage Mercedes-Benz, crashed through fences, and led police on a chase that ended with an attempted assault on an officer. Brayan Galiono Hernandez, age 19, was involved in a commercial burglary at Precision Auto Care in Hicksville on Jerusalem Avenue that occurred between Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9, Nassau County Police. According to officers, the suspect entered the business by breaking down an exterior fence and slipping through an unlocked garage door, where he took the red 1995 Mercedes and drove…
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…