Baldwin Man Arrested for Robbery Near New WH Apartments

A Baldwin man was arrested Friday morning in West Hempstead after an alleged robbery and assault near the new West130 apartment complex.

According to Nassau County detectives, around 9 a.m., Keith L. Crews, 48, entered a White Ford Truck that was parked in the rear lot of 151 Hempstead Ave. and removed an LG cell phone.

Crews then fled on foot west to the rear lot of 169 Hempstead Ave. where police said he broke the rear passenger side window to a 2003 Jeep and removed its car stereo.

The Jeep's owner, a 67-year-old male, confronted Crews. He then punched the car owner in the chest and knocked him down, police said.

The victim got up and chased Crews on foot eastbound on Hempstead Avenue, police said. He was able to stop Crews in the rear lot of 111 Hempstead Ave. Crews then dropped the stereo and fled again on foot north.

Fourth Precinct police officers later observed Crews in the lot of 50 Hempstead Ave. and conducted an investigation, police said. The LG cell phone was recovered and Fourth Precinct Police placed him into custody without incident.

The Jeep owner was transported to a local hospital by a Nassau County Ambulance and treated for back and chest pain.

Crews is charged with robbery in the second degree, criminal mischief in the third degree and petit larceny. He will be arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Saturday.