Queens man accused of stealing $60,000 worth of equipment from Carle Place restaurant arraigned on grand jury indictment
In June 2024, Assaedi allegedly took the grill, a fryer, refrigerators, tables and much more from East Coast Street Tacos.
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A Queens man accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of kitchen equipment from a Carle Place restaurant has been arraigned on a grand jury indictment.
Mohamed Assaedi is facing charges of burglary, grand larceny, petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.
In June 2024, Assaedi allegedly took the grill, a fryer, refrigerators, tables and much more from East Coast Street Tacos.
Prosecutors say Assaedi was a former tenant.
The equipment stolen was valued at $60,000.
"We were basically ready to open. We had everything done, all the equipment was in place," says co-owner of East Coast Street Tacos John Martini.
East Coast Street Tacos recently opened their doors last month.
"It definitely set us back six to eight months," says Martini.
But they say the road to opening hasn't been easy.
"It's really been an emotional rollercoaster. We were so excited to be opening here," says Martini.
Martini and his co-owner say this was a business worth fighting for.
"You have to look at it as you walk away from everything, or you fight to keep it all together. In the end, when it's all together it's going to pay off," says Martini.
Assaedi's attorney, Richard Hochhauser sent News 12 a statement saying he's reviewing all the allegations.
"This matter involves a complex history related to bank liens on equipment and we are committed to ensuring that the full context of these circumstances is addressed through the proper legal channels," says Hochhauser.
