Smash-and-Grab Burglar Stole Over $200K From Nassau County Businesses: DA

A Queens man was arraigned in Nassau County Court on Wednesday for stealing more than $200,000 in jewelry, cash and lottery tickets from approximately 10 Nassau County businesses between January and June of this year, according to Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.

Joseph Borelli, 42, of Howard Beach, was arraigned on a 21-count indictment and was charged with 10 counts of third degree burglary, ten counts of second degree criminal mischief and possession of burglar’s tools.

“[Borelli’s] alleged avarice knew no bounds and he stole everything from lottery tickets at mom and pop delis to jewelry at boutique stores,” Singas said in a press release.

Borelli’s “smash-and-grab” burglary spree ended when members of the Nassau County Police Department arrested him in June following a 6-month-long investigation.

Authorities obtained warrants, and used video surveillance and court-authorized GPS tracking to put Borelli and his co-conspirators, Edan Balila and Rotem Balila, both from Great Neck, into custody, the DA said.

Borelli is accused of committing these 10 overnight ”smash-and-grab” burglaries:

• $50,000 worth of jewelry was stolen from Kardesh Jewelers, located 2370 Bellmore Road in Merrick, on Jan. 7
• $500 in cash and lottery tickets were stolen from Cookshop Deli, located at 374 Great Neck Road in Great Neck, on Jan. 10
• $3,000 in cash was stolen from Messina Market, located at 6255 Northern Boulevard in East Norwich, on Feb. 13.
• $100,000 worth of jewelry was stolen from Westbury Jewelry Exchange, located at 1083 Old Country Road in New Cassel, on Feb. 28.
• $10,000 worth of jewelry and watches was stolen from Lana’s Jewelry Store, located at 29 Hicksville Road in Massapequa, on April. 21.
• $7,000 worth of jewelry was stolen from Shoe Repair, located at 521 W. Merrick Road in Valley Stream, on May 11.
• $30,000 worth of jewelry was stolen from Maddy Fine Jewelers, located at 113 Jackson Ave. in Syosset, on May 19.
• $200 in cash was stolen from Bagelman of Great Neck, located at 491 Great Neck Road in Great Neck, on May 25.
• Loose change was stolen from B&D Deli, located at 667 Old Country Road in Plainview, on June 16.

Co-defendants Edan Balila and Rotem Balila pleaded guilty to one count of third degree burglary and are awaiting sentencing.

Borelli faces a maximum sentence of 3 ½ to 7 years in prison on each top count. He was held on $450,000 cash or bond bail and is due back in court on Jan. 5.

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