Bookkeeper On The Run Nabbed in Florida: Police

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A bookkeeper who allegedly stole approximately $30,000 from two Southampton businesses has been caught in Florida, police said.

According to the Southampton Town Police Department's detective division, Lesley Guarino, 46, of St. Augustine, FL, and Bellport, NY, was arrested and extradited from Florida to face grand larceny charges.

Detectives were assisted in their investigation by Suffolk County Fugitive Squad and St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office in St. Augustine, police said.

The investigation revealed that during the summer of 2016, while providing bookkeeping services for two separate Southampton businesses, Tradition Tile and Dimensional Tile, Guarino stole approximately $30,000 from the businesses, police said.

Shortly after the crime was discovered, Guarino fled to Florida in an attempt to evade detectives, police said.

Once Southampton Town detectives obtained an indictment warrant, Florida law enforcement officials arrested Guarino in St Augustine, police said.

Guarino has been brought back to Suffolk County, was processed, and remains in custody while she faces grand larceny charges, police said.

The investigation is ongoing and Southampton Town Police detectives request anyone with information to contact the Southampton Town Police Department's detective division at 631-702-2230, or the Crime Hotline at 631-728-3454. All calls will be kept confidential. Emails can also be sent to crimetips@southamptontownny.gov.