Geriatric Burglar Snuck Into UES Doorman Buildings: Prosecutors

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — An elderly burglar is facing charges for an alleged robbery spree where he used his unassuming looks to gain access to Upper East Side doorman buildings, prosecutors said.

Samuel Sabatino, 82, was charged with eight counts of burglary and three counts of grand larceny, for a string of robberies that netted him stolen goods valued at about $139,000, according to a criminal complaint from the Manhattan District Attorney's office. The robberies took place around Memorial Day and July 4 at Upper East Side buildings, prosecutors said.

Sabatino is accused of breaking into two apartments at 201 E. 79th St. and stealing from residents who were away on vacation. The burglar took items such as wedding rings, high-end watches, and other gold and diamond jewelry.

Around July 4, Sabatino slipped by a doorman at 215 East 68th Street, prosecutors said. One of the building's residents told police that he encountered Sabatino when the burglar knocked on his door. When the resident opened the door the accused burglar told him he thought he was on the wrong floor.

Sabatino later broke into an apartment in the building and stole various belongings with an estimated value of $39,000.

The burglar used his unassuming looks to get by doormen in the secure buildings.

"The guy’s 82 years old. You would never think somebody of this age would be doing something like this," 19th precinct detective Kevin Gieras told the Daily News. "They didn’t even look twice at this guy."

Sabatino was arrested on Aug. 31 after he was denied entrance to a building at 1623 Third Ave., according to the criminal complaint. The burglar told the doorman of the building he was there to see his friend "Suarez" but that he may have the wrong building.