A North Valley Stream man took two rings worth $16,600 from a jewelry store in May but forgot to take his hat, which helped Third Squad detectives arrest him Wednesday on multiple charges, Nassau County police said.
Jerry Torres, 47, of 1070 Frances Dr., posed as a customer on May 27 at From Italy With Love at 473 Old Country Rd., Westbury, took the two rings and then fled on foot, police said.
But Torres left behind a hat, which after tests and an investigation eventually was traced back to him, police said.
When police went to arrest him at his home at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Torres tried to run off and then became involved in a scuffle with one of the officers, they said.
The officer injured his leg and was treated and released at a nearby hospital.
Torres is charged with grand larceny, assault and resisting arrest. He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday at First District Court in Hempstead.
Copyright 2012 - Newsday, Melville, N.Y.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
