NEW YORK COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM BUSINESS Police: Man dabbled in many crimes - Newsday.com: Police: Man dabbled in many crimes
BY JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER
Newsday Staff Writer

February 3, 2007, 8:31 PM EST

Michael Casanova worked at Aircraft Protective Systems for less than a year and told police he "did a little bit of everything."

He also forged and cashed stolen payroll checks, stole computers and a flatscreen television, and set a desk on fire, Nassau police said Saturday.

His nearly monthlong crime spree, which also included robbery after breaking into an unoccupied home last week, ended Friday night when police caught and arrested him, authorities said.

Casanova, 26, of 14 East St., Hicksville, was a floor manager at the Westbury business when he stole 18 blank payroll checks on Jan. 10, Third Squad Det. Sgt. Richard Dorsi said.

For about a week, he cashed eight at various check-cashing establishments with forged company signatures, totaling $7,590, Dorsi said.

Officials for the company could not be reached Saturday.

On Jan. 22 about 3:15 a.m., Casanova used his key to enter his employer's building and stole three computers and a flatscreen television, all worth more than $6,000, Dorsi said.

After taking the stolen goods out of the building, Casanova returned with a container of flammable solvent, which he poured over a desk, Dorsi said. Casanova ignited it and left. The sprinkler system extinguished the fire.

"He was the prime suspect in the arson," Dorsi said, declining to elaborate.

On Wednesday, Casanova crawled into an unlocked bathroom window of an unoccupied Hicksville home, where he stole jewelry, a credit card and a checkbook, Dorsi said, noting that the residence had no connection with Aircraft Protective Systems.

Later that afternoon, Casanova tried unsuccessfully to cash one of the stolen checks in Roosevelt, Dorsi said.

On Friday at about 5:30 p.m. police located Casanova in Hempstead and arrested him.

He was charged with two counts of second-degree burglary, third-degree arson, third-degree grand larceny and three counts of second-degree forgery.

An investigation also revealed that he took a female acquaintance's car and didn't return it for 13 days, Dorsi said.

For that, Casanova was charged with third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle.

After his arrest, Casanova complained to police that he wasn't feeling well, Dorsi said, and he was taken to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, where he remained overnight for observation.

He was expected to be arraigned there Saturday. His relatives could not be reached for comment.