Arrest in theft of rare coins in Levittown

A Queens man suspected of stealing rare coins from a vehicle in Levittown was arrested after he ran from police when his van was stopped Sunday, Nassau County detectives said.

An officer responding to an emergency call about 3:30 p.m. for a larceny in Levittown saw a Dodge Caravan matching the description of a vehicle thought to be used by three suspects.

The vehicle description also included out-of-state license plates, which the Caravan had, police said.

The officer followed the vehicle west on Hempstead Turnpike and into the Nassau Mall parking lot in Levittown. The officer lost sight of the vehicle but saw one of the suspects -- Steven Cano, 25, of 25-26 96th St., East Elmhurst -- running through the lot.

After a brief foot pursuit Cano was placed into custody without incident, police said in a news release.

Two other suspects fled the scene, but Cano's Caravan was found in the lot with proceeds from the theft, police said.

The rare coins were stolen from a vehicle parked at a Levittown residence on Straight Lane, with the victim, a 59-year-old man, reporting the theft in a 911 call, police said.

Cano was arraigned Monday on second-degree grand larceny and third-degree criminal mischief. He was held Monday afternoon pending a $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond bail.

Detectives ask anyone with information about the two other unknown subjects to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477. All calls will be kept confidential.