He may pay a big price for stealing small change.
David Chin, 47, caught the attention of a cop as he tinkered with a pay phone at 168th Street and Union Turnpike in Hillcrest at 5 p.m. on Sept. 16, authorities said.
The cop watched as Chin allegedly stuck a paper clip in the coin-return slot and fished out a handful of change.
The cop moved in and grabbed him, and found that the slot had intentionally been jammed, according to court papers.
Cops found $2.60 in coins, along with several paper clips, in Chin’s pocket, sources said.
He was charged with petit larceny and possession of burglar tools, said a spokeswoman for DA Richard Brown.