NYC Duo Stole From Nassau Louis Vuitton Store: NCPD

MANHASSET, NY--A Manhattan man and Bronx woman were arrested and charged in Manhasset after attempting to steal from a fashion store on Sunday evening, Third Squad detectives said.

Detectives say police responded to the Louis Vuitton located at 2120 Northern Blvd. for an ongoing theft. Police eventually found the man and woman while they were driving away and pulled them over. Police discovered the proceeds of the theft in the car. John Thomas, 49, of 135 W. 25th St. and Maria Balento, 42, of 2153 Chatterton Ave. were arrested. The following investigation found both defendants were responsible for past thefts from the Louis Vuitton store and the Giorgio Armani store located in Manhasset, police said.

Thomas was charged with two counts of third-degree grand larceny, two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, two counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and false personation.

Balento was charged with two counts of third-degree grand larceny, two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, four counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

They are both scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, May 20 at First District Court, 99 Main St. in Hempstead.