Dental Assistant Stole Jewelry From Sedated Patients: Cops

MANORVILLE, NY — A Manorville woman stole jewelry from patients being treated at a dental office where she worked, police said.

According to Suffolk County Police, Arieta Gouvakis, 38, was arrested at her Weeks Avenue on Friday at 12:30 a.m.

Gouvakis, a dental assistant to Dr. Elliot Koschitzki at Long Island Dental Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry in Rocky Point, removed jewelry from two patients who were being treated at the office under her care on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, police said. Neither patient realized their jewelry was missing until after they left the office, police said.

The patients were under "conscious sedation," when the jewelry was stolen, police said.

The Suffolk County Police Department's property recovery squad recovered the stolen jewelry from local pawn shops, police said.

The dental office cooperated fully with the investigation once they were notified, police said.

Gouvakis was arrested and charged with third degree grand larceny, fourth degree grand larceny, third degree criminal possession of stolen property, and fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property.

She is being held overnight at the Seventh Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip Friday morning.

Anyone with information or other patients who think they have also "been victimized" by Gouvakis are asked to contact the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752, police said.

Patch photo courtesy SCPD.