Michael F. Arbassio, 57, of Hicksville, was arrested Friday, Aug....

Michael F. Arbassio, 57, of Hicksville, was arrested Friday, Aug. 29, 2014, and charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and first-degree falsifying business records for placing fraudulent orders on behalf of fire departments across the United States, then collecting commissions in excess of $1,000 for the phony sales, Nassau police said. Credit: NCPD

A chemical salesman was arrested Friday and charged with grand larceny and falsification of business records after he placed fraudulent orders on behalf of fire departments across the United States, then collected commissions in excess of $1,000 for the phony sales, police said.

The scheme fell apart, Nassau County police said, when representatives of the various departments called the company, Camponil Electronics and Chemicals, at 183 Broadway in Hicksville, to complain.

Police could not immediately identify the fire departments victimized -- or the states where they are located.

Michael F. Arbassio, 57, of 45 Ronald Ave., Hicksville, was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and first-degree falsifying business records after his arrest at his home at 1 a.m. Friday, police said.

He is scheduled for arraignment Friday in First District Court in Hempstead.

Police said that in July and August, Arbassio placed a dozen orders for the sale of chemicals to fire departments across the country. He then collected a commission on those sales of more than $1,000, police said.

Police said the scheme fell apart when departments receiving the orders notified Camponil that they had not placed any orders with Arbassio.

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