Crimes Nearby: Bias Incident, 99 Cent Store Robbed at Gunpoint and More

Roxen Road Defendants Enter Not Guilty Pleas as New Charges Arise

The Rockville Centre Roxen Road assault case took another turn in Nassau County First District Court this week.

All five defendants were charged with assault with intent to cause physical injury, a misdemeanor, and assault with intent to cause physical injury with a weapon, a felony, in addition to the original charge of second-degree gang assault.

Defendant William Moore was also charged with a second count of assault with intent to cause physical injury.

Three of the defendants --  and Kevin Coyle -- also entered their plea of not guilty this week, which came as no surprise in court as Diperna's lawyer John R. Lewis Jr. told Patch in July "I believe these boys will be vindicated at the end of the day."

William Nelson and Nolan Kelly, who both turned themselves in to Nassau County Police on Dec. 27, pleaded not guilty on the same date, according to court documents.

All five defendants will now return to court on Jan. 18.

According to police, the assault happened when the wife of the victim was walking her dog on Nottingham Road and was verbally accosted by five to eight young men. She ran home and told her husband of the incident, and the two drove around the neighborhood looking for the men to demand an apology.

They found the group on Roxen Road, which is where the assault took place, police said. Neighbors who heard the disturbance called police at 11:55 p.m. The men fled before police arrived and Nassau County detectives were called in to join the investigation.

The man was transported by Rockville Centre police to Mercy Medical Center where he was treated for broken ribs, multiple contusions and injuries to the face and jaw.

Bias Incident Reported at Roosevelt Field Mall

Nassau County Police are investigating a bias incident at Roosevelt Field Mall in East Garden City where, according to Third Squad detectives, the phrase "Death to Jews" and a swastika were written in red chapstick on a door in a service corridor.

The incident occurred on Jan. 1 at 3:50 p.m. according to police. The graffiti was approximately 24 inches high and 18 inches long, police said.

The investigation is ongoing. Detectives request anyone with information regarding this crime to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

Valley Stream 99 Cent Store Robbed at Gunpoint

A masked man wielding a handgun robbed th Super 99 Cent store in Valley Stream shortly before 7 p.m. on Friday.

According to Nassau County detectives, a 32-year-old female employee of the store, located at 525 W. Merrick Rd., was approached by a black man wearing a black leather jacket, black mask, gray hat and black jeans. The suspect went behind the register, pointed a handgun at her and grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash.  He fled the scene on foot westbound on Merrick Road. 

There were two customers and three employees in the store at the time of the incident. No injuries were reported.

Detectives ask anyone with information about this crime to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.  All callers will remain anonymous.

Gunman Robs Cab Driver in Hempstead

Nassau County Police are searching for the man who robbed a cab driver in Hempstead last Thursday.

According to detectives, a 32-year-old male taxi driver working for Checkers Cab Company picked up a male passenger at the Freeport train station on Jan. 3 around 3:20 a.m. and was instructed to drive to a location in Hempstead.

The driver could not locate the street and eventually pulled onto Beverly Road., where the passenger then displayed a black handgun and demanded the driver’s property. The victim surrendered a cell phone, unknown amount of cash and keys to the cab.

The suspect, described as male Hispanic, 5’06” tall, 175lbs., medium build, and wearing a black jacket and black knitted cap -- then fled on foot southbound on Beverly Road. No injuries were reported.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this crime to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

Garden City Police Arrest 4 for DWI

A Garden City Police Officer responded on Dec. 26 to Nassau Boulevard north of Cambridge Avenue, where a vehicle with two occupants was traveling northbound when it struck a street sign and a light pole. The driver, a male 74-year-old from Floral Park, was determined to be intoxicated and was arrested for DWI (.17 percent blood alcohol content) and uninsured operation. There were no reported injuries to the driver or his 74-year-old passenger.

On Dec. 28, Officer Bandl stopped a vehicle northbound on Nassau Boulevard at Newmarket Road for traveling 50 MPH in a 30 MPH zone and for failure to maintain a lane of travel. The driver, a male 19-year-old from Garden City, was subsequently arrested for DWI (.15 percent blood alcohol content), speeding and failure to maintain lane.

Officer Russell stopped a male 24-year-old from Valley Stream on Franklin Avenue on Dec. 30 for switching lanes without signaling. Upon an investigation, he was arrested for DWI (.10 percent blood alcohol content), two lane violations and an outstanding Nassau County traffic warrant.

Officer Florio observed a vehicle traveling north on Franklin Avenue on Jan. 1 at 48 MPH in a 30 MPH zone. The vehicle was stopped and the operator was subsequently arrested for DWI (.13 percent blood alcohol content), aggravated unlicensed operation 1st Degree due to a prior DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd Degree for an additional license suspension, speeding and failure to maintain lane.

Rockville Centre Police arrested Justin A. Fredericks, 22, of East Hartford, Conn., and Shakir Y. Williams, 22, of Inwood, on Dec. 22 at 3:50 a.m. following a police investigation in the vicinity of Merrick Road and N. Park Avenue. Frederick was charged with menacing in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Williams, was charged with unlawful possession of mariuana.

Hempstead Gas Station Attendant Robbed

Nassau County Police are investigating a robbery that occurred on Wednesday, an. 2 at 4:19 a.m. in Hempstead. 

According to detectives, an unknown male white subject entered the Shamrock gas station located at 404 Clinton St. and demanded money from the 21-year-old male attendant. After obtaining an unknown amount of cash, he fled the scene on foot westbound on Lincoln Boulevard.

The suspect is further described as 5’06” tall, wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, black jeans, white sneakers and a black knit cap. No injuries were reported.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this crime to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.