Nikolas Balalaos charged with burglary and petit larceny
Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced the indictment today of a Freeport man who was arrested on July 18 for burglarizing a bar earlier this year.
Nikolas Balalaos, 26, was arraigned on the following grand jury charges:
• Burglary in the 3rd Degree (a D felony)
• Petit Larceny (an A misdemeanor)
Acting Supreme Court Justice Patricia Harrington continued bail at $20,000 bond or $5,000 cash. Balalaos, who remains in custody, is due back in court on August 17 in front of Acting Supreme Court Justice David Sullivan. If convicted of the top count, Balalaos faces a maximum of seven years in prison.
“The defendant is charged with burglarizing a bar – a bar that he happened to live upstairs from,” Acting DA Singas said. “I commend the hardworking First Squad detectives for recognizing the defendant and apprehending him as quickly as they did. A special thanks must be given to the boat owner who helped transport the detectives in the water before the arrest.”
Acting DA Singas said that Nassau County Police Department First Squad detectives working on an unrelated case recognized Balalaos while he was walking on a Freeport street. Balalaos was a suspect in the April 11 burglary of the DQ Bar in Freeport. The defendant allegedly stole more than $500 in cash and three liquor bottles.
Detectives attempted to stop the suspect and foot pursuit ensued. Balalaos was found swimming in a canal between Anchor Street and Dock Drive, heading towards Baldwin Bay. A civilian transported the detectives by boat who were then able to apprehend Balalaos without incident.
Assistant District Attorney Ilyssa Spergel of Acting DA Singas’ County Court Trial Bureau is prosecuting the case. Balalaos is represented by Samantha Marshall, Esq. He was represented at arraignment today by Taryn Schechter.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.