Schneider, a Malverne, L.I….
By Adam Kramer
On March 19, Alvin Schneider and Larry Simon sat down to play an ordinary, friendly game of gin rummy in the basement of North Shore Towers in Floral Park, where Simon lives. What happened next was anything but ordinary.
Schneider, a Malverne, L.I. resident, became upset with Simon and how the game was progressing. In a fit of anger he stood up from the table, declaring his intention to leave the building and go home.
But according to the Queens district attorney, Schneider made a detour on his way home for what allegedly turned out to be at least a $50,000 diversion.
Simon headed back to his apartment soon after his friend had left the game, only to find the apartment ransacked, with a platinum and gold engagement ring — valued at more than $50,000 — missing from his dresser drawer, according to the criminal complaint filed in Queens Criminal Court.
A police source said the ring had a 5.3-carat diamond valued at $60,000.
Schneider, who was arrested March 27 by Detective Michael Mormino of the 105th Precinct in Queens Village, made one major mistake in his alleged attempt to steal from his friend — he was videotaped. He was released on his own recognizance.
According to the complaint, Schneider was taped getting into the elevator in the basement of the North Shore Towers building he was visiting, pressing the button for the 16th floor where Simon lives, and leaving the elevator on that floor.
When confronted by the police, Schneider admitted he had stolen the ring from Simon’s apartment, the complaint said.
Schneider was charged with burglary, grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, said Mary de Bourbon, a spokeswoman for Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The police source said Schneider had the ring in his van and is claiming that the robbery was just a practical joke to get back at his friend.
When the police showed Simon the ring, he identified it as the one missing from his home, the complaint said.
Neither Schneider nor Simon could be reached for comment on the case.
Reach reporter Adam Kramer by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 157.
