Say He Stole Devices In Maspeth
Originally collared last Saturday morning, Nov. 22, for allegedly transporting a stolen boiler in a shopping cart, a Ridgewood man was later charged for allegedly stealing valuable equipment from a Maspeth factory earlier this month, law enforcement sources said.
Police identified the suspect as 49-year-old Robert Rodonis of Greene Avenue.
According to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, Rodonis was picked up by 104th Precinct officers at the corner of 58th Place and Grand Avenue at about 11:55 a.m. last Saturday.
Reportedly, officers observed him walking on the sidewalk while pushing a shopping cart containing a stainless steel boiler and assorted metal and steel items. It was not determined where the items had originated, or how Rodonis allegedly obtained them.
When the officers stopped Rodonis and asked to see a valid receipt for the items, law enforcement sources noted, he allegedly failed to produce one. He reportedly also provided the officers with a fake identification.
Additionally, it is alleged, officers found a pair of pliers in Rodonis’ possession.
The Ridgewood resident was taken into custody on charges of possession of burglar’s tools, destruction or removal of property in buildings or structures and false personation.
Following his arrest, the 108th Precinct Detective Squad linked Rodonis to a grand larceny that occurred at the HAR Maspeth Corp., located at 44-28 55th Ave.
Between midnight on Nov. 2 and 8 a.m. the next morning, authorities stated, Rodonis and another man-William Senior, 59-allegedly entered the location and removed refrigerator compressors valued at a combined $60,000. Footage of the theft was reportedly caught on video surveillance cameras at the scene.
Police said Rodonis and Senior used a shopping cart to remove the compressors and bring them to a van on the street.
After learning of the theft, law enforcement sources noted, police and company employees checked nearby scrap yards to see if the compressors were sold there. Investigators reportedly learned that Rodonis and Senior allegedly sold the stolen items at Du Scrap Metal, located at 46-26 Metropolitan Ave. in Ridgewood.
Members of the 108th Precinct Detective Squad picked up Senior on Nov. 13 on second-degree grand larceny charges; he remains held on $20,000 bond or $10,000 cash bail.
Rodonis was additionally booked on second-degree grand larceny for his alleged role in the Nov. 2-3 theft.
During an arraignment hearing in Queens Criminal Court on Sunday, Nov. 23, Judge Robert Martin Stolz ordered Rodonis held on a combined $9,000 bail.
