Richard Mirabile, a 44-year-old man from Congers, New York, was charged with burglary and other crimes for a series of thefts within the restrooms of eight fast-food and fast-casual restaurants throughout Queens between Nov. 23, 2018 and Dec. 28, 2018, according to the Queens District Attorney’s press release. He hit the local Ridgewood Wendy’s at 61-11 Fresh Pond Road twice.
“The defendant in this case stopped into various restaurants in Queens County—not for food, but for toilet flush fixtures,” Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said. “Bypassing the counter to order a quick meal, the defendant allegedly made a beeline for the restrooms and exited minutes later with toilet flush fixtures stuffed in a bag.”
Mirabile was seen by some individuals and caught on video surveillance as he entered and exited the restaurants. Employees of the establishments noticed the missing mechanisms after the plumber’s raids. Authorities noted that the fixtures are valued at around $250 a piece.
The toilet thief was arraigned Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, on a complaint charging him with third-degree burglary, third- and fourth-degree criminal mischief, petit larceny and attempted petit larceny. Judge Cimino set bail at $25,000 and ordered the defendant to return to court on Jan. 9, 2019.
Cover image courtesy of Mike Mozart.