A Maryland man was arrested last week for allegedly posing as a utility worker to distract an elderly woman while he burglarized her Herricks home three months ago, Nassau County police said.
Frank Nicholas was charged with burglary on Sept 12, when a judge set his bail at $100,000 bond or $75,000 cash.
Police said the 27-year-old White Marsh man wore a yellow work vest and construction hat when he told the 79-year-old victim that he needed to check her home for a gas leak following a made-up gas explosion on June 20.
He allegedly told the victim to turn on the faucet in the kitchen while the suspect stole gold jewelry missing from her jewelry box before he fled, police said. The victim discovered the theft shortly later.
Detectives are investigating where Nicholas was involved in two similar incidents, one on the same day in Westbury and the other in Syosset on June 19.
It is unclear if he is linked to other distraction burglaries and scams on Long Island this summer.
