DA: Oceanside Gym Owner Pleads Guilty to Stealing from Clients

An Oceanside gym owner admitted in court Wednesday to making fraudulent charges on client credit cards and having a loaded gun in his home, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Thomas Donovan, 39, of Island Park, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree grand larceny before Judge Jerald Carter, the DA’s office said.

Carter committed to a sentence of three years in prison followed by three years of post-release supervision, the DA said. Donovan also agreed to make a restitution of $17,719.27, officials said.

Donovan is due back in court April 8 for sentencing.

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“Using personal financial information to steal comes with serious consequences,” Acting DA Madeline Singas said in a statement. “Thanks to our partnership with the Nassau County Police Department’s Crimes Against Property Squad, we are actively combating this growing sector of crime in order to protect consumers, as well as the legitimate businesses they patronize.”

Nassau County Police said Donovan took credit card account information from his clients at 5 Star Boxing in Oceanside and used it to buy more than $30,000 of merchandise, cops said. He and an unnamed accomplice crossed Nassau and Suffolk Counties making purchases in November and December, police said.

According to the DA, his accomplice would bring items to the Pro Desk at Home Depot and give employees a fake name and number of a contractor. The employees would then call the number and Donovan would answer, give them credit card information, and complete the purchase, the DA said.

Police executed a search warrant and found an loaded .25 caliber pistol that had been defaced, officials said. For this, he was also indicted for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of a firearm, the DA said.

Photo via NCPD

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