Man Stole Money From Girl Scouts Selling Cookies in Rockville Centre: Police

A Deer Park man was arrested on Thursday, a day after police say he swiped a cash box from a table being used by Girl Scouts to sell cookies.

Michael Avelli, 34, is charged with second degree robbery.

According to Nassau Police, Avelli removed a cash box containing approximately $100 from a table the Girl Scouts had set up at N. Park Avenue and Front Street in Rockville Centre at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday.

As Avelli was fleeing the scene, an adult male who was at the table chased and grabbed him, police said.

Avelli struck the man in the face and then fled the scene without the stolen cash, police sad.

The man, who sustained facial contusions to his face, refused medical aid. No other injuries were reported.

Subsequent investigation by detectives led to the arrest of Avelli on Thursday at his home on W. 23rd Street. He will be arraigned on Friday in First District Court in Hempstead.

"In preparation for the Girl Scout Cookie Program, and throughout the booth sale portion of the Program, our Troops and volunteers practice and reinforce sales and safety skills," said Donna Rivera-Downey, chief marketing and communications officer for the Girl Scouts of Nassau County. "In the 98-year history of Girl Scouts of Nassau County, there doesn't appear to have been an incident involving attempted theft similar to this case.

"It is unfortunate someone would attempt to steal from Girl Scouts who work hard to not only carry on the 95-year old tradition of selling cookies loved by most everyone, but who also give people the opportunity to buy boxes of cookies dedicated to be sent to our U.S. troops deployed overseas. This recent event will serve as a lesson to our Girls to not let an isolated negative incident stop them from proceeding to do good work to help others."