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Overcast Police: Man hid $20K-plus worth of rings in mouth
Connecticut man arrested after alleged thefts from Bellmore, Massapequa jewelers
A Connecticut man has been arrested and charged with stealing rings from Bellmore and Massapequa jewelers worth more than $20,000.
According to Nassau County police, Joseph Castro, 52, on Sept. 28, engaged employees at J and H Jewelery, in Bellmore, in a conversation about purchasing a ring and was able to conceal eight rings, worth more than $18,000, in his mouth. Employees discovered the theft when they did their inventory, police said.
On Sept. 12, Castro performed a similar rouse at Great American Jewelery Inc. on Merrick Road in Massapequa, and made off with another ring in his mouth, worth more than $4,000. The loss was also discovered by employees during store inventory, police said.
On Dec. 13, Castro was recognized by an employee at Good Old Gold, in Massapequa Park, when he entered the store. Officers responded and arrested Castro at the scene, where he was also allegedly found to be in possession of heroin.
Castro has been charged with two counts of third-degree grand larceny and seventh-degree possession of a controlled substance, and was arraigned on Dec. 14 in Hempstead First District Court.
Castro's attorney's information was unavailable at press time.
Police are urging anyone else who may have been victimized by Castro to notify the Seventh Squad at (516) 573-6756.
