Man Who Stole Antique Books Worth $20,000 Charged: DA

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A man who stole two antique books valued at more than $20,000 from an Upper East Side store is facing charges.

Gavriel Hundiashvili has been charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for the theft, according to a criminal complaint from the Manhattan District Attorney's office. Hundiashvili entered PRPH Books on East 64th Street between 5th and Madison avenues and stole two rare works from a display shelf in the store's gallery, police told Patch. After taking the books, the crook slipped them into a briefcase before simply walking out of the store unnoticed, police said.

Both of the books were more than 400 years old, being published in 1538 and 1513 respectively, according to a criminal complaint. The crime occurred on April 16, police told Patch.

Hundiashvili has confessed to taking the two books, according to the criminal complaint.

Hundiashvili appeared in court on Friday, where bail was set at $5,000 cash or $15,000 bond, a spokesman from the District Attorney's office told Patch.

Photo: NYPD