Tags Posts tagged with "Grand Larceny"

Grand Larceny

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney on Oct. 13 announced the arrests of two Internal Revenue Service employees, Tina White, 36, of Bellport, and Shawana Williams, 45, of Centereach, for allegedly unlawfully receiving thousands of dollars for allegedly filing separate, fraudulent Small Business Administration loan applications.

“These individuals are alleged to have stolen government funds by abusing a program intended to help legitimate small business owners pay their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I want to thank the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration for working with my office to investigate and prosecute those who would steal taxpayer funds.”

According to the investigation, on May 7, 2020, and July 6, 2020, respectively, White and Williams allegedly filed COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications with the Small Business Administration in which they each claimed to be the owners of businesses in need of financial assistance due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

White allegedly claimed to be the Chief Operating Officer of an agricultural business, and Williams allegedly claimed to be the Chief Operating Officer of a medical services business.

However, neither business existed. White allegedly received $6,000 and Williams received $4,000 as initial cash advancements while their respective loan applications were being processed. Both loan applications were ultimately denied, but White and Williams never returned the illicit money they received.

White and Williams are each charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony. Additionally, Williams is charged with Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E felony, and Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a Class E felony.

On October 12, 2023, White and Williams were arrested by investigators of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and arraigned before Suffolk County District Court Judge, the Honorable Anna Acqafredda. Judge Acqafredda released both defendants on their own recognizance during the pendency of their cases. White is due back in court on October 23, 2023, and is being represented by Michael Brown, Esq. Williams is due back in court on October 26, 2023, and is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Katharine D’Aquila of the Public Corruption Bureau, with investigative assistance by District Attorney Investigator Brian Wood of the Public Corruption Squad, as well as Special Agents Ellen Quackenbush and Kimberly Goldstein of the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

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Photo from SCPD

Just released! Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate two men who allegedly stole a wallet in Melville and a female who allegedly subsequently used the victim’s credit card.

Two men allegedly stole a wallet from a woman’s purse at La Piazza, located at 512 Walt Whitman Road, on November 4, 2022 at approximately 8:50 p.m. A woman (in photo on right) then allegedly used a credit card from the wallet at Walgreens, located at 325 New York Ave. in Huntington Station.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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Jonathan Sunderland

Suffolk County Police arrested a Hempstead man on Jan. 9 for stealing jewelry and electronics from Walmart stores throughout Suffolk County since September.

Jonathan Sunderland used a specialized tool to open locked display cases at Walmart stores and stole more than $40,000 worth of jewelry and more than $3,000 worth of electronics at Suffolk County Walmart stores. Following a coordinated investigation by Fourth, Sixth and Seventh Squad detectives, Sunderland was identified and located at the Morris County Jail in New Jersey where he was being held on similar charges from the Boonton Township Police Department.

Fugitive Unit detectives traveled to the New Jersey jail at approximately 12:10 p.m. today and placed Sunderland into Suffolk County Police custody. He was charged with:

 Grand Larceny 3rd Degree- for stealing $16,000 worth of jewelry from Walmart, located at 1850
Veterans Memorial Highway in Islandia, on September 26, 2022

 Grand Larceny 3rd Degree- for stealing more than $25,000 worth of jewelry from Walmart,
located at 750 Middle Country Road in Centereach, on November 6, 2022

 Grand Larceny 3rd Degree- for stealing more than $3,000 worth of electronics from Walmart,
located at 901 Boulevard East in Yaphank, on November 10, 2022.

Sunderland, 34, of 45 Jackson St., was remanded to the Suffolk County Jail in Yaphank. He will be
arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip on January 10.

Anyone who believes they could be a victim is asked to call Sixth Precinct Squad detectives at 631-
854-8652.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

On Nov. 14 Suffolk District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney  announced the indictment of Douglas Valente who is charged with two counts of Grand Larceny for allegedly stealing more than $425,000 from two of his clients.  

 “This defendant allegedly breached his fiduciary duty to his clients by stealing money that was supposed to be held in trust in his attorney escrow account,” said DA Tierney. “As a result of an extensive investigation done by my office, the defendant will be held accountable for these deceitful actions.”  

Valente, 56, the principal attorney at the Valente Law Group based in Stony Brook is alleged to have stolen more than $425,000 from his attorney escrow account over a 6-month period in 2020. He is charged with two counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree.  

According to the investigation, between April 14, 2020 through May 31, 2020, Valente is alleged to have stolen $181,201.67 from a 78-year-old client.  Valente represented the elderly woman in the sale of her home and the proceeds of the sale were put into Valente’s escrow account.

Valente was required to send half of the proceeds to his client and the other half was to be sent to her matrimonial attorney to be held in escrow until her divorce was finalized.  Although Valente did send half of the proceeds to his client, he allegedly failed to send the remaining half of the proceeds to her attorney in the matrimonial proceeding.   As a result, when his client’s divorce was finalized, she was unable to obtain the remaining proceeds from the sale of her house.  

During the time period of September 28, 2020 through October 13, 2020, Valente is alleged to have stolen $248,027.84 from Guaranteed Rate Inc., a mortgage lender.   Valente was the attorney and settlement agent for Guaranteed Rate Inc. in a refinance transaction. Guaranteed Rate Inc. wired money to Valente’s escrow account to be dispersed.   The defendant was supposed to send a portion of the proceeds of the refinanced mortgage to the prior mortgage company to pay off the existing mortgage and he allegedly failed to do so.   Because of this, Guaranteed Rate Inc. had to pay off the existing mortgage in the amount of $248,027.84.  Valente allegedly used the funds belonging to both clients on his own personal and business expenses. 

Valente surrendered to the District Attorney’s Office this morning and he was arraigned by the Honorable Richard Ambro in County Court in Riverhead.   His offenses are considered non-bail eligible under New York State law, so he was ordered to surrender his passport released on his own recognizance.   Valente is being represented by John Carman, Esq. Valente is due back in court on December 14.

If you believe you have been victimized by Douglas Valente, please call the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at (631) 853-5602.       

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Donna Planty of the Financial Crimes Bureau.

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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the person who allegedly stole merchandise from a Commack store last month.

A man allegedly stole a cultivator, wheelbarrow and roofing shingles from Home Depot, located at 5025 Jericho Turnpike, on September 13 at 4 p.m. The merchandise was valued at approximately $1500.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the men who allegedly used stolen credit cards at two businesses in Centereach and Lake Grove in September.

Three men allegedly used a stolen credit card at Walmart, located at 161 Centereach Mall, and Speedway, located at 2825 Middle Country Road, Lake Grove on September 5. The credit cards were stolen from a pocketbook in a vehicle on Talisam Drive in Dix Hills on September 4 or 5.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

File photo
Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the men who allegedly stole merchandise from a South Setauket store in August.

Three men, including the man pictured on the right, entered Home Depot, located at 255 Pond Path, and allegedly stole several thousand dollars’ worth of electrical merchandise on August 7.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate three people who stole allegedly money from a Huntington Station store this month.

Two males and a female allegedly stole approximately $2,600 from a cashier while making a purchase at Saks Fifth Avenue, located at 230 Walt Whitman Road, on August 6 at approximately 2:30 p.m. One of the men was wearing a white T-shirt and a dark-colored hat, the second man was wearing an orange T-shirt and a white hat and the female was wearing a black shirt and a green skirt.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.  

The following incidents have been reported by Suffolk County Police:

Centereach

■ Walmart on Middle Country Road in Centereach reported a shoplifter on Aug. 27. A man walked into the store, picked out a mountain bike valued at $98, and allegedly rode out of the store without paying.

Commack

■ Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack reported a shoplifter on Aug. 25. A man allegedly took a USB drive and an LED work light off the shelf and walked out without paying.

■ Home Depot on Crooked Hill Road in Commack reported that two men allegedly stole electrical wiring valued at approximately $460 on Aug. 25.

■ A catalytic converter was stolen from a 2004 Honda Accord parked in the driveway of a resident on Partridge Drive in Commack on Aug. 23. 

■ A woman shopping at Costco on Garet Place in Commack on Aug. 27 reported that an unknown person stole her purse out of her pocketbook.

■ Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack called the police on Aug. 27 reported a petit larceny. Two men stole assorted baby furniture valued at $150. 

Dix Hills

■ Cash and credit cards were stolen from a vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence on Redwood Drive on Aug. 26. The vehicle had been left unlocked.

East Northport

■ T-Mobile on Clay Pitts Road in East Northport reported a petit larceny on Aug. 25. Two men entered the store on Aug. 25 and allegedly stole an iPhone 13 Pro valued at $600.

Greenlawn

■ A resident on Robin Drive in Greenlawn called the police on Aug. 26 to report that someone broke the driver’s side window of his vehicle and stole a wallet.

Hauppauge

■ A resident on Cain Drive in Hauppauge reported that unknown suspects removed all four tires and rims, valued at $1100, off of his 2021 Toyota on Aug. 23. Three windows of the car were also broken.

Huntington Station

■ Anthropologie at the Walt Whitman Mall in Huntington Station reported a petit larceny on Aug. 26. A man and a woman allegedly stole approximately $510 worth of women’s clothing.

■ Sephora on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station reported that a man and a woman entered the store on Aug. 24 and allegedly stole assorted fragrances valued at $2800.

Lake Grove

■ PacSun at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove reported that three women allegedly stole $585 worth of assorted clothing from the store on Aug. 26.

■ A catalytic converter was stolen from a 2005 Honda Accord parked on Bayard Street in Lake Grove on Aug. 24 and from a Honda Element on Sterling Drive in Lake Grove on Aug. 25.

Melville

■ A man checking out of the Melville Marriott Long Island on Walt Whitman Road in Melville on Aug 26 found his Budget rental car in the parking lot missing all four tires and rims. The parts were valued at $800.

Miller Place

■ A Shimano bicycle valued at $400 was reported stolen from the Friendly’s parking lot on Route 25A in Miller Place on Aug. 25. The bicycle had been chained up to a light post.

Nesconset

■ A woman shopping at Shoprite on Nesconset Highway in Nesconset on Aug. 25 reported that an unknown person stole her wallet containing cash and credit cards from her pocketbook.

■ Catalytic converters were reported stolen from 2007 Honda Accord and a 2004 Honda Accord parked on Roy Drive, a 2004 Honda Accord parked on Yardley Lane, and a 2006 Acura parked on Commander Lane in Nesconset on Aug. 24 and 25. The parts were valued at approximately $500 each.

Rocky Point

■ Catalytic converters were reported stolen from a 2004 Honda Accord on Fern Road, a 2001 Honda Accord and a 2007 Honda Accord on Hickory Road, a 2001 Acura MDX on Rosewood Road, a 2007 Honda Accord on Patchogue Drive, a 2006 Honda Accord on Magnolia Drive and a 2004 Honda Accord on Tulip Road in Rocky Point from Aug. 24 to Aug. 26. 

Selden

■ A man shopping at 7-Eleven on Boyle Road in Selden on Aug. 26 returned to his car to find that an unknown person had entered his unlocked vehicle and stole a large amount of cash.

■ Home Depot on Middle Country Road in Selden reported a grand larceny on Aug 26. Three men allegedly stole various power tools and a tool box with a total value of $1860.

■ A resident on Strauss Avenue in Selden reported that an unknown person had stolen his mailbox between the hours of 7 p.m. on Aug. 25 and 5 a.m. on Aug 26. The mailbox was valued at $80.

Sound Beach

A resident on Beacon Drive in Sound Beach called the police on Aug. 25 to report that a catalytic converter was stolen from his 2005 Honda Element.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.

— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON

The following incidents have been reported by Suffolk County Police:

Centereach

■ Walmart on Middle Country Road in Centereach reported that a known male shoplifter allegedly stole two Splatterball toy guns valued at $192 and a Magma hoverboard worth $144.

■ CVS on Middle Country Road in Centereach reported two shoplifters on Aug. 9. A man and a woman allegedly loaded a shopping cart with Tide detergent, diapers and paper towels before fleeing the store. The items were valued at approximately $300.

■ Walmart on Middle Country Road in Centereach called the police on Aug. 12 to report that a man allegedly stole $563 worth of assorted groceries along with a Roku Express valued at $145.

Commack

■ A resident on Wheatfield Lane in Commack reported that someone broke the window of his vehicle parked in his driveway and stole a wallet on Aug. 13. On the same day a resident on the same street reported that someone entered his unlocked vehicle and removed items and credit cards.

Scam alert! A woman loading groceries in her car in the parking lot of Costco Wholesale on Garet Place in Commack on Aug. 10 reported that she was approached by two men asking for directions and later realized her wallet had been stolen from her pocketbook.

■ Target on Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack reported a shoplifter on Aug. 8. A man allegedly stole three Razor scooters valued at $135 each.

■ Target on Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack reported that a man entered the store on Aug. 11, selected JBL earbuds, Heyday headphones and Tide Pods. He then picked out a backpack to conceal the items and allegedly walked out of the store without paying. The items were valued at approximately $240.

■ North Shore Paving on Townline Road in Commack reported that an unknown man stole a 2000 Ford F350 from the property on Aug. 12. The vehicle, valued at $12,000, had been left unlocked with the keys inside.

East Setauket

■ Walmart on Nesconset Highway in East Setauket reported two shoplifters on Aug. 11. Two women allegedly stole cleaning supplies, jewelry and clothing valued around $300.

Greenlawn

■ Greenlawn Fine Wines and Liquor on Broadway in Greenlawn reported two shoplifters on Aug. 12. A man and a woman allegedly stole five various bottles of liquor totally $854.

Hauppauge

■ A catalytic converter was stolen from a 2006 Honda Accord parked in the driveway of a residence on Helen Avenue in Hauppauge on Aug. 11. The part was valued at $800.

Lake Grove

■ Macy’s at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove reported a petit larceny on Aug. 13. A man and a woman allegedly stole miscellaneous clothing items worth approximately $930.

Melville

■ A guest checking out of the Melville Marriot Long Island on Walt Whitman Road in Melville on Aug. 10 discovered that all four tires and rims had been stolen from his 2019 BMW X2. The vehicle was found sitting on two cobblestone blocks.

Port Jefferson Station

■ A resident on Jayne Blvd. in Port Jefferson Station reported that someone entered her vehicle on Aug. 8 and stole cash, a cellphone, license and credit cards.

■ A vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence on Joline Road in Port Jefferson Station was broken into on Aug. 8. Two wallets containing driver’s licenses were stolen.

■ Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace on Route 112 in Port Jefferson Station reported that a man allegedly filled a shopping cart with $250 worth of assorted beer and fled the store without paying on Aug. 12.

Rocky Point

■ A resident on University Drive in Rocky Point reported that his car was broken into on Aug. 9. Assorted tools, karate apparel, headphones and cash were stolen.

■ Over 50 bags of used clothing were stolen from the PAL clothing donation bin in the Stop & Shop parking lot on Route 25A in Rocky Point on Aug. 2. The items were estimated to be worth $900.

■ A resident on Magnolia Drive in Rocky Point reported that someone entered his vehicle on Aug. 9 and stole power tools, hand tools and backpack.

St. James

■ Bruno’s Garage on Middle Country Road in St. James called the police on Aug. 10 to report that someone had stolen catalytic converters from two cars parked in the lot.

■ A resident on Washington Avenue in St. James reported that a catalytic converter was stolen from his 2006 Honda Accord on Aug. 10. Three men were seen exiting a silver Mercedes sedan, lifting the vehicle with a car jack and cutting the converter out before fleeing.

■ A resident on Alo Court in St. James reported that someone entered his backyard on Aug. 12 and stole a Dolphin Premier robotic pool cleaner. The equipment was valued at $800.

Selden

■ Rite Aid on Middle Country Road in Selden reported two shoplifters on Aug. 9. A man and a woman allegedly loaded a shopping cart with paper towels, diapers and baby formula valued at approximately $300 before fleeing the store.

■ Two motorcycles, a Suzuki DR200 and a KTM Duke 200, were stolen from a parking lot at Suffolk County Community College on College Road in Selden on Aug. 7. 

Setauket

■ A woman dining at Mario’s Restaurant on Route 25A in Setauket on Aug. 12 discovered that someone had removed a cellphone, wallet and phone charger from her vehicle.

Smithtown

■ A purple 2016 Dodge Charger SRT 392 was stolen from the driveway of a residence on Nissequogue River Road in Smithtown on Aug. 12. The spare keys had been left inside the vehicle which was valued at $60,000.

■ A muffler was damaged and a catalytic converter was stolen from a 2008 Honda Element  parked in the street in front of a residence on Blydenburg Avenue and a catalytic converter was reported stolen from a 2008 Honda Element parked in the driveway of a residence on Estate Road in Smithtown on Aug. 11. 

■ A resident on Brook Court in Smithtown reported that a catalytic converter was stolen from his 2005 Honda Accord and a catalytic converter was stolen from a 2002 Honda Accord parked on New Mill Road in Smithtown on Aug. 12. 

Sound Beach 

■ Catalytic converters were stolen from a 2001 Honda Accord on Mahogany Road, a 2001 Honda Accord on Rock Hall Lane and a 2002 Honda Accord on Soundway Drive in Sound Beach on Aug. 7.

■ Catalytic converters were stolen from a 2004 Acura TSX parked on Mitchell Drive and a 2005 Honda Accord parked in the driveway of a residence on Sound Beach Blvd. in Sound Beach on Aug. 8. 

Stony Brook

■ A resident on Sanford Lane in Stony Brook reported that someone entered his unlocked car on Aug. 9 and stole a wallet from the center console.

■ A 2021 Toyota Corolla was reported stolen from the driveway of a residence on Sheppard Lane in Stony Brook on Aug. 8. The owner was not sure if the car, which was valued at $15,000, had been locked.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.

— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON