Cops: Man defrauded liquor store of $3G

A Queens man was arrested after he used re-encoded credit cards to make more than $3,000 in purchases last week at an Old Bethpage liquor store -- and then attempted to do so again Monday, police said.

The third time wasn't a charm.

Kenneth Ferguson, 21, of 194-31 114th Dr., St. Albans, was arrested by a Nassau County Police Department Second Precinct officer while inside Bottle Values on Old Bethpage Road at about 12:45 p.m. Monday. Police said the officer was alerted by the store manager, who had earlier become aware the prior purchases were fraudulent.

Police said Ferguson made those purchases, worth $3,056, on Sept. 9 and Sept. 11 using re-encoded cards.

Police said that, when arrested, Ferguson was also in possession of two additional fraudulent bank debit cards.

Ferguson was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, first-degree identity theft and second-degree identity theft. He faces arraignment Tuesday in First District Court in Hempstead.