Police release surveillance images of suspect in gold-chain theft

Police said he stole gold from a store at Westfield Sunrise Mall in East Massapequa on Saturday.

But he may have left a little gold behind, too -- in this case, surveillance video of himself at the jewelry department display counter.

Nassau County police are asking the public's help in identifying the suspect in the video, asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.

The grand larceny took place Saturday at the Sears store in Sunrise Mall at 7:13 p.m.

Police said the man approached the jewelry counter, asked to see a 24-inch, 10-karat gold necklace valued at $1,125 -- then fled the store. He was last seen leaving the scene on a gray mountain bike, police said.

No injuries were reported.

The video surveillance footage shows the suspect approaching the counter, milling around, touching the display case -- and waiting for assistance. It was not clear if police were able to obtain fingerprints or other DNA evidence from the countertop.

The man is wearing a dark baseball cap, jeans and a black jacket with studded lettering. He is about 5-foot-9, police said, with a husky build.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”