What to Know
- A dental assistant was arrested for allegedly stealing jewelry from patients in Rocky Point, Suffolk County police announced Friday
- Arieta Gouvakis, 38, is charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property
- Gouvakis worked at Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry; Attorney information for Gouvakis was not immediately available
A dental assistant was arrested for allegedly stealing jewelry from patients after they were administered laughing gas at an office in Rocky Point, Suffolk County police announced Friday.
Arieta Gouvakis, 38, was arrested in her Manorville home around 12:30 a.m. and is being charged with grand larceny in the third degree, grand larceny in the fourth degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree.
Gouvakis, a dental assistant at Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry, allegedly removed jewelry from two patients who were being treated under her care on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, police said, adding that neither patient realized their jewelry was missing until after they left the office.
Both women had been given nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, before their jewelry was taken.
The Suffolk County Police Property Recovery Squad allegedly recovered the stolen jewelry from local pawn shops.
The dental office cooperated fully with the investigation once they were notified of the allegation against their employee, police say. Dr. Nick Augenbaum at the practice called the thefts appalling and condemned Gouvakis' alleged actions.
Local
Gouvakis was hired three weeks ago and has since been fired.
She is expected to be arraigned Friday.
Attorney information for Gouvakis was not immediately available.
Authorities urge anyone with information or other patients who think they have also been victimized by Gouvakis are asked to contact the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.
