Cops: Man stole checks from customer in line at bank

A Deer Park man was arrested Wednesday after police said he walked up to a woman waiting on line at a bank in East Meadow, grabbed an envelope from her containing six checks -- and fled the scene.

A responding Nassau County police K-9 officer stopped Thomas Sidoti, 30, of 5 Madison Ave., moments later on Hempstead Turnpike, arresting him, police said.

Sidoti was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny. He was arraigned Thursday in First District Court in Hempstead. Bail was set at $1,000 cash or $2,500 bond.

Police said Sidoti walked into the Chase Bank branch on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow at 10:55 a.m. and approached the 28-year-old victim, who was waiting on line to deposit six checks. Sidoti then grabbed the envelope containing the checks and fled on foot.

Police did not disclose how much the checks were worth.

The checks were recovered, police said.

With Ellen Yan