Crime & Safety
Cops: Man Poses as Restaurant Manager, Steals Woman's Pocketbook
Detectives asking other possible victims to come forward.
Nassau County Police tracked down a Merrick man they said pretended to be a restaurant manager and swiped a woman's purse in Rockville Centre last month.
On May 11, cops said Aaron Rufenacht, 36, approached a 53-year-old woman at Grillfire Restaurant in Rockville Centre and pretended to be a manager. After asking if she was satisfied with her meal, Rufenacht walked off with her pocketbook, containing a wallet, credit cards, and cash, that was sitting on the chair next to her, police said.
The next day, Rufenacht reportedly used the victim's debit card to buy $204.95 worth of merchandise at 7-Eleven in Rockville Centre, police said.
Find out what's happening in Rockville Centrewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Detectives tracked Rufenacht down at his home and arrested him this weekend. He was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, theft of service, and third-degree identity theft.
Police are asking anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of Rufenacht's to call their local police precinct or department.
Find out what's happening in Rockville Centrewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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