By Elizabeth Teitelbaum

Roslyn Heights

A Brooklyn woman was arrested for attempted grand larceny, possession of forged instruments, and identity theft that occurred in Roslyn Heights on Feb. 26 at 4:45 p.m. Detectives report that Lisa Krapf, 41, entered Washington Mutual Bank and attempted to withdraw $4,900 from an account using fraudulent identification. The teller dialed 911. Sixth Precinct Police Officers William Allen and Thomas Papaccio responded and placed Krapf under arrest. Krapf had in her possession at the time of her arrest a forged California Driver’s License, a forged counterfeit American Express Card, a forged withdrawal slip, and a piece of paper with the victim’s name, social security number, address, and date of birth. It was discovered after further investigation that Krapf withdrew $4,900 from Washington Mutual Bank in Carle Place on Feb 21., using the same fraudulent identification. Krapf has recently committed the same crimes at multiple locations in Suffolk County. Krapf was charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree and three counts of Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd Degree, one count each of Identity Theft 1st Degree, Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, and Defraud 1st Degree.

Oceanside

Detectives are investigating a robbery that occurred in Oceanside on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 2:31 p.m. It is reported that a male subject, of dark complexion, 5’7″, late 30’s to early 40’s, and medium build, wearing a dark two-toned jacket, a dark cap and gloves, and wearing glasses, entered the Commerce Bank on Long Beach Road and presented a demand note to the teller. The teller complied and handed the subject an undisclosed amount of money. The subject then exited the bank and fled on foot across Long Beach Road into a municipal parking lot where he entered a small dark gray automobile that fled westbound on Harrison Avenue. 12 employees and five customers were present at the time of the robbery.

Hempstead

An investigation is under way regarding a fire that occurred on Feb. 26 at 1 a.m. in Hempstead. Detectives report that Hempstead, West Hempstead, South Hempstead, Franklin Square and Uniondale Fire Departments, under the direction of the Hempstead Fire Chief, responded with approximately 15 trucks and over 100 firefighters to a working fire at a vacant building with no known numerical address, located next to 538 Peninsula Boulevard in Hempstead. Before it was extinguished, the fire caused severe damage and partial collapse to the location. One Hempstead Fire Department member sustained injuries to a hand and foot, for which he was transported to Mercy Medical Center for treatment. No other injuries were reported.

Hewlett

A Brooklyn man was arrested for the possession of forged instruments and identity theft that occurred in Hewlett on Feb. 27. Detectives report that Michael Pitt, 33, while inside King Kullen Supermarket, used a fraudulent credit card to purchase a phone card and Visa gift card. Fourth Precinct Police Officer Robert Cohen responded and placed Pitt under arrest. During a search incident to arrest, Cohen discovered 18 forged credit cards on Pitt’s person. Pitt was charged with four counts of Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd Degree, four counts of Identity Theft 1st Degree, and one of Defraud 1st Degree and will be arraigned in First District Court, Hempstead, on Feb. 28.

Wantagh

The Robbery Squad reports the details of a bank robbery that occurred on Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. According to detectives, a male Hispanic, mid 40’s, 5’7″ tall, dark-skinned, black hair, with a medium build, and wearing a dark knit hat and a tan and black waist length jacket, entered the Commerce Bank located on Sunrise Highway. He approached the teller, displayed a handgun and handed the employee a demand note. The teller complied and handed over an undisclosed amount of money to the suspect who exited the bank and fled on foot southbound on Wantagh Avenue. There were two customers and five employees present during the robbery with no injuries reported.

Elmont

The Fifth Squad reports the details of a burglary that occurred in Elmont in the early morning of Feb. 28. At approximately 1:25 a.m., two males kicked open the side door of a Post Avenue residence, one of whom ordered a 36-year-old male resident not to move. This subject then removed an unknown amount of money that was on a piece of furniture in the living room. The victim, who is a licensed pistol permit holder, produced a handgun and chased the suspects and fired one shot. It is unknown whether or not he struck one of them. The victim described one of the suspects as a black male, wearing a black puffy jacket and a dark skullcap. Anyone with information about this crime to contact the Nassau County Police Crime Stopper’s Section at 1-800-244-TIPS.

North Merrick

A robbery occurred in North Merrick on Feb. 28. At approximately 11:17 a.m., an unknown male subject entered the H & J Dry Cleaners, produced a handgun and demanded that the 23-year-old male employee hand over the money in the cash register. The employee complied and the subject left the establishment. He was last seen on foot eastbound on Orchard Street. The suspect is described as a male Hispanic or Indian, in his mid twenties, about 5’5″ to 5’8″ tall, wearing blue jeans and a black jacket, a dark ski type cap, gloves and prescription glasses. No injuries were reported and there were no other employees or customers in the store at that time of the incident.

Baldwin

The Nassau County Police Department, along with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Office of Tax Enforcement and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, announced the execution of three search warrants that took place on Feb. 28. Stamatios Tsakos, 67, of Baldwin and his two sons Kostas Tsakos, 37, and Christos Tsakos, 35, were arrested which is the culmination of a seven month long investigation into the purchase and sale of untaxed cigarettes. The location in Oceanside is a commercial establishment that houses FCT Distributing. The principal partners of FCT own and control coffee trucks and truck routes. Seized pursuant to the warrants were two coffee trucks, a Jeep and more than $50,000 in cash. Records related to failure to collect and remit sales tax were also seized. Businesses in Nassau County that sell cigarettes are required to collect and remit New York State sales tax to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.