Valley Stream crime report

‘Gym Bandit’ goes back to jail

A serial purse-snatcher from Valley Stream has been sentenced to 3-to-6 years in prison. Sean Gluck, 36, plead guilty to burglary and grand larceny charges stemming from his third crime spree in as many years.

Gluck committed five thefts on three different dates in March and April of 2009. On March 15, Gluck entered Beach Bum Tanning in North Merrick and stole the front desk employee’s purse, containing gift cards and money, when she left the area.

Gluck struck again on March 21 when he entered Beach Bum Tanning in Plainview and stole the desk employee’s pocketbook, which contained $300 in cash. Gluck’s final three thefts all came on April 15. In Mineola, Gluck stole an employee’s duffel bag from Massaro’s Pizzeria and an employee’s pocketbook from the hostess stand at St. James Restaurant. Later that day he stole an employee’s pocketbook from Starbucks in Plainview.

Gluck was arrested on April 24, 2009, by Nassau County police. In January 2007, Gluck earned the nickname “The Gym Bandit” when he was charged with a series of thefts where he stole car keys from various gyms and fitness centers and then stole pocketbooks and other items from the customers’ vehicles. Gluck served eight months in jail on the theft charges.

Less than than two months after being released from jail in September 2007, Gluck stole wallets and pocketbooks from gyms in Woodbury, Glen Cove, Merrick, and Baldwin, and a Hewlett bagel store. Gluck charged more than $7,000 on the owners’ stolen credit cards. He eventually served five months in jail. He was also placed on probation for three years.

Thefts

— A GPS, iPod and baby seat were stolen from a 2005 Acura sedan on Alden Avenue in North Valley Stream on April 10 between midnight and 8 a.m.
— A 1998 Nissan Maxima was stolen from Guenther Avenue on April 8 between 1 and 5:25 a.m.
— A 1995 Hyundai Accent was stolen from the Green Acres Mall parking lot on April 7 between 8:30 and 10:10 p.m.

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.