Cops: Woman stole $45,000 instead of 'blessing' it

A woman who told a restaurant owner that business would prosper if he allowed her to bless $45,000 instead "blessed" his cash by disappearing with it, Nassau County police said Thursday.

The woman is now wanted on a grand larceny charge after the bizarre blessing on July 26, police and Crime Stoppers said.

Police on Thursday released photographs of the suspect taken from video surveillance.

The suspect and the owner of a Latino restaurant in Westbury met at about 1:30 p.m. that day on Elm Avenue in Hempstead, police said.

The victim gave the woman $45,000 to be blessed. She told him to return in 30 minutes and his money would "be clean," police said.

When the man returned 30 minutes later, the suspect and his money were gone.

Police did not say how the victim and the suspect decided on an amount of $45,000 to be blessed or how the two met.

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Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477. All calls will be kept confidential.