Oceanside gym owner indicted

Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced on Jan. 29 the arraignment of 39-year-old Thomas Donovan of Island Park on grand jury charges of using credit card numbers belonging to members of his Oceanside gym to steal thousands of dollars in merchandise. Donovan was also charged with the possession of stolen merchandise from Home Depot and the possession of a loaded firearm found in his home.

He was arraigned Jan. 29 before Nassau County Court Judge Meryl Berkowitz on weapons-possession charges as well as grand larceny, scheme to defraud and falsifying business records. Berkowitz set Donovan’s bail at $100,000. If convicted of weapons possession second degree, he faces a minimum sentence of 3½ years in prison. He is due back in court, before Nassau County Court Judge Jerald Carter, on Feb. 10.

Singas said that between Nov. 17 and Dec. 9, Donovan, the owner of 5 Star Kickboxing in Oceanside (previously known as KOXO Kickboxing), engaged in a scheme to fraudulently obtain property from Home Depot by using credit card information of the people who signed up for fitness classes at his gym.

Donovan worked with another individual, Singas said, who visited various Home Depot locations in Nassau and Suffolk counties, chose various items for purchase, brought them to the Pro Desk and gave the cashier the name and phone number of a fictitious contractor. When Home Depot employees called the number to obtain credit card information for payment, Donovan would answer the phone, assume the identity of the fictitious contractor and give Home Depot the credit card account numbers, security codes and expiration dates of the cardholders.

During the investigation, Singas said, eight search warrants were issued and executed at Donovan’s home, business and vehicles. He was found to be in possession of a loaded .25 caliber pistol as well as thousands of dollars’ worth of Home Depot merchandise. Home Depot sustained a loss of more than $29,000, according to Singas.

The Nassau County Police Department Crimes Against Property Squad arrested Donovan on Dec. 9 at his Island Park home.

“Customers should be able to enroll in automatic monthly credit card payment plans without worrying about the unauthorized use of their personal financial information,” Singas said. “I encourage any other patrons of this defendant’s business who suspect unauthorized charges were made to their accounts to contact my office’s Tipline immediately.” That number is (516) 571-7755.