iPhone Theft Leads to Slew of More Charges

A Freeport teen was held by gym employees after he allegedly took an iPhone from a locker at XSports Fitness at Roosevelt Field Mall in E. Garden City Tuesday afternoon.

Nassau County's Third Squad reports that Latique D. Oates, 19, was being restrained by employees until police arrived to 630 Old Country Road. During a subsequent investigation, police said Oates was found to be in possession of six prepaid Visa gift cards, five Costco membership cards and a BJ’s membership card, none in his name.

It was discovered the defendant would enter victims' lockers at various locations and obtain credit card information without actually removing the credit cards, according to detectives. The defendant would then take the membership card and then using the information from the credit cards make purchases, police said.

Oates has been charged with five counts of possession of a forged instrument, 2nd degree; two counts of forgery, 2nd degree; three counts of grand larceny, 4th degree; three counts of identity theft, 2nd degree; six counts of petit larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, 5th degree; identity theft, 3rd degree; and unlawful possession of personal identification, 3rd degree.

Oates was expected to be arraigned Wednesday at First District Court in Hempstead. Detectives ask anyone who may be a victim of a similar crime to contact police.