Lindenhurst, NY - March 12, 2018 - Suffolk County Police arrested a Lindenhurst man for multiple larcenies including a rental scam, stolen credit cards and the forcible theft of money from a woman at an ATM.
Following an investigation by First, Third and Fifth Squad detectives, James Destasio was identified in multiple larceny cases. First Squad detectives located Destasio, in a vehicle he was not authorized to be driving, in Deer Park on March 10 but he was able to flee from officers. The vehicle was later located parked and unoccupied on West 14th Street in West Babylon and Destasio was arrested in the backyard of a residence on that street as he attempted to flee police on foot.
Destasio was charged with nine counts of Grand Larceny 4th Degree for:
- Stealing a purse from shopping cart at Stop and Shop, located at 400 Union Blvd. in West Islip, on March 9.
- Stealing an employee’s credit card at Boca Tanning Salon First, located at 798 Grand Blvd in Deer Park, on March 5.
- Stealing a credit card from a vehicle parked at The UPS Store, located at 654 North Wellwood Ave. in North Lindenhurst, on March 2
- Taking money as a rental deposit for a Bay Shore apartment that he was not authorized to rent on February 26.
- Stealing a credit card from a vehicle parked at Crunch Fitness, located at 369 Little East Neck Road in West Babylon, on February 25.
- Stealing a credit card from a vehicle parked at LA Fitness, located at 2110 Broadhollow Road in East Farmingdale, on February 24.
- Stealing a credit card from a vehicle parked at LA Fitness, located at 5 Gateway Blvd in Patchogue, on February 24.
- Stealing a wallet from a locker at LA Fitness, located at 455 Park Ave. in Lindenhurst, on February 23.
- Forcibly stealing money from a woman’s hand at an ATM, located at 840 Sunrise Highway in Bay Shore, on December 21.
Destasio was also charged with Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Reckless Driving and Resisting Arrest.
Destasio, 33, was arraigned on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at First District Court in Central Islip.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.