WEST VILLAGE — A man stole $1,300 cash from his friend after agreeing to clean her apartment, NYPD said.
Dennis Gonzalez, 54, agreed to clean his friend's West 10th Street apartment for $80, but as he was finishing the job at about noon on Nov. 29, the victim took a nap and by the time she woke up, Gonzalez had disappeared with her wallet, police said.
The victim didn't realize the wallet containing the cash was missing at first, and called Gonzalez repeatedly to ask why he had left without getting paid, but he never picked up, police said.
She discovered her wallet was missing at about 7 p.m. the next day and filed a police report on Dec. 1. She told police that no one had been in her apartment since Gonzalez cleaned it, police said.
Gonzalez was arrested on Jan. 6 and charged with grand larceny, a felony. The money was not recovered, police said.
A temporary order of protection was issued and Gonzalez was released without bail, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's office.
When reached over the phone, Gonzalez's attorney, Eliza Orlins, raised a concern about the victim waiting until two days after the incident to report the money stolen.
"We're investigating the case," Orlins said. "We think there are some issues with the allegations."
Gonzalez is due back in court on March 19.
