Man Indicted for Breaking into Freeport Bar

A Freeport man was indicted Monday for an April 11 break-in at a Freeport bar, above which he lived, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Nikolas Balalaos, 26, was arraigned on charges of third-degree burglary and petit larceny, officials said. If convicted of the top count, Balalaos faces up to seven years in prison, police said.

Balalaos was arrested July 18 by police who were near Atlantic Avenue and Westend Avenue in Freeport on an unrelated investigation, police said.

One of the detectives recognized Balalaos as a suspect in the burglary of DQ Bar, located at 382 Atlantic Avenue, cops said.

Detectives tried to stop Balalaos, who fled, jumped into a canal between Anchor Street and Dock Drive, and swam toward Baldwin Bay, authorities said. A nearby boat owner helped detectives chase Balalos down and eventually take him into custody on Eastern Boulevard, cops said.

Balalaos, who lived above the bar, had stolen more than $500 in cash and three bottles of liquor, authorities said.

Balalaos is due back in court on Aug. 17.

Image via NCPD