Police: 2 sold stolen items to owner

Two thieves got busted Sunday after they tried to sell stolen landscaping equipment back to the victim whose truck they'd stolen it from days earlier, police said.

Robbie Thomas, 45, of Brookside Drive, Roosevelt, and Leo Williams, 53, of Hill Street, Uniondale, were charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Thomas also was charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle because his license was suspended 10 times, police said.

Both men were arraigned Monday in First District Court in Hempstead, police said.

Nassau County police said the men were arrested after the victimized landscaper set up a meeting with the two and arranged for detectives to be present at the buy.

Police said the landscaper, whose identity was not released, had items stolen from his truck, which had been parked in a lot on Hempstead Avenue in West Hempstead.

Police said the victim recalled he had been approached by Williams "several weeks earlier" -- and said Williams wanted to know if the landscaper was interested in purchasing landscaping equipment.

The victim called and arranged a meeting and found three of his leaf blowers among the goods being offered, police said. Police said the man bought the leaf blowers, then called police and arranged a second meeting with Thomas and Williams -- at which time the detectives arrested the duo.

Police said Thomas also was found to have an additional $4,000 worth of stolen equipment belonging to the landscaper.