CHELSEA — A woman stole nearly $250 worth of underwear from a booth at the Javits Center a day before the venue hosted a trade show for intimate apparel, the NYPD said.
An employee of the convention center at 655 W. 34th St., between 11th and 12th avenues, told police he saw the 48-year-old woman standing near some trade booths that weren’t open for business July 30 at 2:45 p.m.
The Javits Center hosted a trade show organized by CURVEXPO — ”the leading organizer of professional trade shows in the Intimate Apparel industry in North America” — from July 31 to Aug. 2, according to its website.
When the employee escorted the woman off the trade show floor, he noticed she had merchandise from one of the booths in her bag, police said.
The woman apologized for having the items, but when security investigated, they discovered more items in her bag, the NYPD said.
She had stashed three pairs of Saxx-brand underwear valued at $108, a $26 Munki Munki nightgown, two pairs of Cheekfrills underwear valued at $40 and a $75 Tutti Rouge bra in her bag, police said.
The merchandise was valued at a total of $249, the NYPD said.
The woman was arrested and charged with petit larceny, police said.
"Our security team works closely with the NYPD to identify and apprehend individuals suspected of criminal acts, and this incident sends a clear message that we will not tolerate any such behavior," Javits Center senior vice president Tony Sclafani said in a statement.
Other notable crimes in Chelsea's 10th Precinct include:
► A 40-year-old shoplifter was arrested after stealing three items worth $15.21 from a Duane Reade at 322 Eighth Ave., between West 26th and West 27th streets, around 11:35 p.m. on July 30, police said. “I guess I’m just taking these, then,” the man said at some point during the incident.
►A 33-year-old man, a 39-year-old man and a 46-year-old man were arrested near TAO Downtown at 369 W. 16th St., at the corner of West 16th Street and Ninth Avenue, around 3:20 a.m. on July 30 following a drug exchange, police said.
After the 33-year-old yelled, “coke,” as they passed by a line of patrons outside the club, the 39-year-old walked up to him and accepted a “small, yellow item” that the 33-year-old pulled out of his right sneaker, according to police. The 39-year-old, accompanied by a 46-year-old man, then walked eastbound on West 16th Street and handed something to two people who weren’t arrested.
When police approached the man who had yelled, "coke," they discovered a Ziploc bag with residue in his left sneaker. The 39-year-old had a small bag of cocaine in his wallet, a small bag of marijuana in his left sneaker and two “loose red pills” in his pants pocket, police said.
► A 58-year-old man was arrested after he wasn’t able to pay his $54.93 bar tab at Shangri-La restaurant at 208 Seventh Ave., between West 20th and West 21st streets, around 11 p.m. on July 30, the NYPD said. Upon further investigation, police discovered the man had an active warrant.
