Homeless man went on theft spree at Rite Aid, Stop & Shop, cops say

A homeless man is responsible for 15 thefts from Rite Aid and Stop & Shop stores in Nassau County within a seven-week period, police said Wednesday.

Andre Christmas, 49, faces multiple counts of grand larceny and petit larceny, Nassau police said. Christmas was arrested Tuesday afternoon after the latest theft at a Stop & Shop store on Atlantic Avenue in Oceanside, police said.

Christmas allegedly took merchandise from the store without paying and then took a cab, which officers stopped, police said.

“The defendant was observed in the rear passenger seat with the merchandise and placed under arrest without incident,” police said.

The cabdriver was not aware the merchandise had been stolen, police said.

Police said detectives determined Christmas was responsible for 14 other thefts from Rite Aid and Stop & Shop stores since April 21. The stores are located in Oceanside, Carle Place, West Hempstead, North Bellmore, Levittown, Franklin Square and Elmont.

Police did not say how they linked Christmas to the thefts.