Cops: Man in China sees ex burglarizing Jericho home

Tian Yun Gao, 29, of Dix Hills, was arrested and... — Tian Yun Gao, 29, of Dix Hills, was arrested and charged with second-degree burglary after her ex-boyfriend, who was remotely monitoring his home while in China, saw her in his Jericho home, Nassau police said. Credit: NCPD

December 21, 2013

A man vacationing in China used the Internet to catch someone breaking into his Jericho home, police said Saturday.

The unidentified 36-year-old man was remotely checking his home's security cameras about 9 p.m. Friday when he saw his ex-girlfriend enter the Hazelwood Drive residence, Nassau police said.

As the homeowner watched in real time, the woman took a wireless, digital surveillance camera worth about $200 from the dining room, according to court documents.

The man called the Second Precinct, and when police arrived, a woman was running out a side door. Officers chased her through the backyard and arrested her without incident, police said.

Police said the suspect, Tian Yun Gao, 29, of Dix Hills, had a security camera in her possession.

She was charged with second-degree burglary and arraigned Saturday in First District Court in Hempstead. Prosecutors asked for $45,000 bail, but the judge granted her a conditional release to probation.

Tian, who was also ordered to stay away from the Jericho homeowner, declined to comment afterward. She is due back in court Tuesday.