Arrest in ID theft from hospital patients

An identity theft ring stole the personal data of more than 100 patients at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset and used the information to go on shopping sprees in three states, a law enforcement source said.

An alleged member of the crew, Clincy M. Robinson, of Brooklyn, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday in Nassau County Court in Mineola and was held on $100,000 bail. Authorities also have a warrant out for the arrest of an indicted co-conspirator and are continuing their investigation to determine the extent of others' involvement.

The indictment against Robinson, 54, and the accused co-conspirator, Latoya Talbert, includes charges of identity theft, unlawful possession of personal identification information, scheme to defraud and grand larceny.

According to court papers, police found Robinson with printouts containing patient information. They also recovered a computer with personal information on more than 900 employees -- including some Nassau residents -- of an international shipping company, Nippon Express, which has offices in New York and around the world.

Among the data stolen, according to hospital spokesman Terence Lynam, were patients' names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, Social Security numbers and possibly medical records. The information was contained on "face sheets," detailed printed forms completed on patients when they're treated at a hospital.

Hospital and law enforcement authorities did not say how Robinson -- who is a nurse but has never been affiliated with North Shore -- obtained the information.

Members of the ring, using the stolen patient data, went shopping at stores in New Jersey, Connecticut and Long Island -- including the Bloomingdale's at the Roosevelt Field mall -- the source said.

The hospital has sent letters to the victimized patients warning them that their identities had been compromised and offering free credit monitoring for a year, Lynam said.

He said the hospital has tightened its security to try to prevent future thefts, but declined to elaborate so as not to help would-be thieves.

Lynam said patients worried that their information had been compromised can call the hospital at 516-465-8097.

Robinson's attorney, Philip Tomich of Mineola, said the face sheets police found in a vehicle Robinson was driving belonged to a man Robinson had driven to court as part of a taxi business he operates. The computer data found in his possession was on equipment Robinson was repairing as another side business.

"Is he involved in it? He was a dupe. If he did anything wrong, it's because he got sucked into driving somebody around," Tomich said, adding: "Why would somebody get involved in something like this in his mid-50s? He's got a job. He's got a career."