Cops: Woman stole wallet, while in court

It probably wasn’t the smartest place to commit a burglary. A 23-year-old Queens woman learned that the hard way Tuesday, arrested after she stole a wallet from a pocketbook — inside the Nassau County Criminal Courthouse in Mineola. While, police said, she was in court making an appearance following a previous arrest.

The burglary took place in what Nassau County police described only as “a secured location” in the west wing of the courthouse on Nov. 20.

But the scene was caught on surveillance footage and police said that led to the arrest of Shoma Otto, of 113-33 203rd St., St. Albans, Tuesday.

Otto was charged with third-degree burglary and fourth-degree grand larceny.

Records indicate Otto was in court Nov. 20 for an appearance related to an arrest on April 22, 2009, when she was charged with three counts of second-degree possession of a forged instrument and one count of fourth-degree grand larceny. She had been released on her own recognizance.

But, police said, not before she entered the secured area, removed a wallet from a pocketbook, stealing credit cards and personal information.
Otto was originally due back in court May 11, as a result of that prior arrest. Now, police said, she also will make an appearance Wednesday — when she will be arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead.