A thief walked into Paul Evans Catering on Saratoga Boulevard in North Long Beach shortly after 8:15 a.m. on Monday, October 5, opened a drawer, and made off with $500 in cash before anyone noticed. By the time an employee discovered the money was gone, the suspect was long gone too, exiting through the front door in an unknown direction.
Nassau County Police released surveillance video of the theft on Wednesday, October 7, but as of that release, detectives had been unable to locate the suspect, according to Daily Voice. The suspect left in an unknown direction.
The Catering Business
The business targeted in the theft, Paul Evans Catering, operates out of a 6,000-square-foot production facility at 46B Saratoga Boulevard in Island Park.
The Fourth Precinct station house is in Hewlett. Paul Evans Catering is on Saratoga Boulevard in Island Park.
What the Theft Could Mean Legally
Stealing $500 in cash would ordinarily amount to Petit Larceny under New York Penal Law, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, since grand larceny charges require the stolen value to exceed $1,000, according to a breakdown from NYC Criminal Defense Attorneys. But entering an office without authorization changes the equation. Knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully inside a commercial building with intent to commit a crime constitutes Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class D felony carrying up to seven years in state prison, regardless of how much cash is actually taken, per an explanation from Saland Law.
Unincorporated Area Relies Entirely on County Police
A fatal stabbing outside a fast-food restaurant on nearby Austin Boulevard in May led to a multi-town homicide arrest, according to the Long Island Herald.
Nassau County detectives released surveillance footage in this case.
How to Help Investigators
Nassau County Crime Stoppers is asking anyone with information about the theft to come forward. Tipsters can call 1-800-244-TIPS.
