The old man still had it in him.

Samuel Sabatino, 82, might have been expected to spend his days relaxing like a typical retiree in Florida, where he lived. But, the police said, he decided to drive all the way up from Miami to the Upper East Side over the Labor Day weekend for a different kind of holiday break.

A burglary suspect on the run for nearly a decade, investigators said, Mr. Sabatino had perfected his technique: He would slip past doormen by pretending to live there, striking up conversations with residents or complimenting their dogs and walking in with them.

If he raised any suspicion, he would pretend to be befuddled and say he had confused buildings.

The strategy, the police said, had earned him $400,000 worth of jewelry and watches from recent heists while people were away on vacation. His unassuming demeanor, simple clothes and large glasses supposedly helped.

“Not your typical ski mask-type guy,” said Lt. Kevin Blake, who supervised the investigation. “He looks like your typical elderly gentleman.”