Nassau cops arrest suspect in Americana Manhasset jewelry store heist

Nassau County Police arrive at Americana Shopping Center after another high end retail robbery.Photo byC.J. Teevan

An international fugitive arrested for allegedly stealing a $17,500 Chopard watch from an Americana Manhasset jewelry store on Long Island was arraigned this past weekend in Nassau County District Court on Felony Larceny charges.

Yaorong Wan – who also goes by the name Sen Wan and Wen San, the Assistant DA told the court – allegedly strolled into London Jewelers on Northern Boulevard, Manhasset around lunchtime on April 19th and pretended to browse high-priced watches.

“While viewing multiple high value watches the defendant did conceal a Chopard watch,” sworn court filings allege. Wan allegedly slipped the watch into his left jacket pocket. Pricetag: $17,800.

Americana Shopping Center on Northern Boulevard, Manhasset, this morning.Photo byC.J. Teevan

In a formal announcement of Wan's arrest on Monday, Nassau County Police say they identified Wan as the suspected thief, then executed a search warrant for his known residence in Flushing, Queens -- a condominium in the Grace Fu Ho Tower at 135-11 40^th Road -- on Friday. Police say the stolen watch "along with proceeds from thefts in other jurisdictions" were all discovered inside Wan's apartment by the search party -- Nassau County detectives, the NYPD's Major Case Squad and the U.S. Marshalls Fugitive Task Force.

But Wan wasn't home.

Court records show he was picked up in Gramercy Park at a different apartment.

Yaorang Wan, 49, in a mug shot taken at Nassau County Police Headquarters last week.Photo byNassau County Police Mug Shot

He was dragged into a Manhattan Criminal courtroom the next morning and charged with 2nd and 3rd degree Grand Larceny. Prosecutors said he's linked to multiple high-end jewelry thefts totalling $332,000 worth, including a $225,000 diamond ring allegedly stolen in Tiffany’s Rockefeller Center store and a $24,000 ring allegedly stolen at Cartier.

Then he was escorted to a police van and transported to Nassau County to face the music here.

6th Precinct Police patrol Americana Shopping Center.Photo byC.J. Teevan

Speaking through a Mandarin interpreter, Wan pleaded Not Guilty on Sunday in the courtroom of Judge David Levine.

Nassau Police say Wan has been up to no good since he arrived in this country five months ago. In the formal statement, they state: "The defendant entered the United States illegally on December 29, 2023 at the border in San Diego, California and was arrested."

Wan requested political asylum and was released, pursuant to federal law, with a court date of January 30, 2025.

Then he came to Flushing.

Arguing against Wan's release, the Assistant DA noted Wan’s status as a fugitive all over the world: outstanding arrest warrants in Miami, New Jersey and California. He's wanted by Interpol, she said, and by authorities in China. In South Korea, Seoul police want him for stealing $332,000 worth of jewelry there on September 30, 2018.

But Wan’s Legal Aid lawyer insisted the Larceny charges on Long Island don’t allege “damage to property” – quoting a condition required for setting bail in a larceny case.

Judge Levine disagreed.

The entrance to London Jewelers on Northern Boulevard, Manhasset.Photo byC.J. Teevan

“He poses a substantial flight risk,” said the judge. Wan’s bail on his London Jewelers case: $500,000 cash or $1 million bond. Judge Levine invited the lawyer to file a “writ”, the procedure for challenging bail.

Whether that mattered is unclear. Fugitives -- including Wan, according to the Assistant DA -- are routinely remanded in Nassau County. On Wan's fugitive case, Wan is being held without bail. He remains in custody at a cell in Block B at Nassau Correctional Center, East Meadow.

His next court date in Nassau County Criminal Court is scheduled for May 14, 2024, in the West Wing Criminal Courthouse, Mineola.

Nassau County Police patrol car on Searingtown Road in Manhasset, adjacent to Americana Shopping Center.Photo byC.J. Teevan