Crime & Safety

Crimes Nearby: Hidden Cameras at LIRR Ticket Machines; ID Theft

Notable arrests and criminal activity in the region.

Hidden cameras were attached to ticket machines at several Long Island Rail Road stations, in a possible debit and credit card scam, according to Newsday.

A customer reportedly found a small video camera on the floor of an unnamed LIRR station and prompted an investigation by MTA Police. Authorities discovered seven hidden cameras attached to electronic ticket machines at Bayside, Great Neck, Merillon Avenue, and Greenvale LIRR stations, said the report.

Cops combed through 124 stations and more than 200 LIRR ticket machines, but no other cameras were found as of Friday night, said the report. 

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The cameras were mounted on a "small, black metal strip attached with an adhesive" and "were made to look like they were part of the ticket vending machines," MTA Police Chief Michael Coan told Newsday.

"We have no report from any customer of this thing actually working and them losing money, but it's too soon to say how long these might have been in place or how widespread it was," MTA spokesman Adam Lisberg told Newsday.

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Because of this incident, LIRR customers are urged to inspect their financial statements or check in with banks and credit card companies for any suspicious or unauthorized activity.

Cops: Man Withdrew $25K from Jericho Bank Using Fake ID

A Queens Village man used a fake ID to withdraw $25,000 out of a customer's account at the Jericho Chase Bank branch on Sept. 29, say police.

Cory Cintron, 23, reportedly posed as an existing bank customer and used a fraudulent Pennsylvania driver’s license to obtain a debit card from the branch at 35 Jericho Turnpike. He then withdrew the money from an ATM.

Later that day, Cintron went to the Chase branch at 2111 Northern Boulevard in Manhasset and filled out a withdrawal slip in the amount of $9,000.00 for the same account. The bank teller became suspicious and when she questioned the defendant he left the bank with no funds.

After being identified through surveillance video and fingerprint evidence Cintron surrendered to Crimes Against Property Squad detectives in Westbury on Tuesday morning, Oct. 15.

Cintron was charged with two counts of third degree grand larceny and first degree identity theft.


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