Cops nab suspect in brazen burglary of legendary basketball coach Rick Pitino’s office
A Long Island City man has been arrested in connection with the robbery of legendary basketball coach Rick Pitino’s office at St. John’s University.
Emanuel Yakubov was nabbed by the 107th Precinct at 9 p.m. Friday, according to the NYPD.
Yakubov, 25, was charged with third-degree burglary, petit larceny, third-degree criminal trespassing, and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.
The pilfered memorabilia included a signed basketball, a bullhorn and a ceremonial dagger.
It was not immediately clear when Yakubov would appear in court on the charges.
“St. John’s University is grateful for the rapid response made by the NYPD and the recovery of stolen property,” St. John’s spokesperson Brian Browne said in response to the arrest.
“The safety and security of our campus community are essential, and our cooperative relationship with law enforcement helps ensure that.”
Two crooks were caught-on-camera during the Tuesday evening burglary at Carnesecca Arena, where Pitino’s office is located above the basketball court.
Footage from the heist shared with The Post showed two men walking through the arena’s hallways. One man can be seen talking on a phone as he holds a small bullhorn – an item sources said was stolen from Pitino’s office.
Other items taken from the coach’s office included a a mask and bottles of alcohol, sources said.
Pitino joked about the robbery online, noting he was furious about the thieves taking a bottle of fine wine that goes for $1,500 or more.
“Really upset!” he wrote.
“Taking my memorabilia is one thing but the 1985 6L Petrus Pomerol has me livid!!!”
“I would never keep that on my desk!” he later clarified.
“Saving that one in a wine cellar to open after the Johnnies go to the final four!”
The suspects fled the scene on a moped.
