Crime & Safety

Crimes Nearby: Fatal Shooting, Drug Bust, DNA Leads to Burglar's Arrest

A round-up of the top crime stories of the week from neighboring communities.

Man Killed in Hempstead Shooting

A 29-year-old man was shot dead in Hempstead Wednesday and police are searching for his killer.

Nassau County Police's Homicide Squad is investigating the fatal shooting that occurred around 6 p.m. on Jan. 30.  According to detectives, Hempstead police responded to a call for shots fired in the rear of 600 Fulton Ave. Upon arrival, they discovered a male victim in his twenties lying on the sidewalk.  He was transported to Nassau University Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased by hospital personnel at 6:47 p.m.

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The victim was identified as James Warren, 29, of Hempstead.

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

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Franklin Square Man Busted with Explosives, Heroin, and Other Drugs

A Franklin Square man was found to be in possession of explosives, guns and several types of illegal drugs and controlled substanced including heroin, Valium, anabolic steroids, and Oxycodone.

Nassau County Police arrested Gabriel Dipierno, 26, around 5:20 p.m. Tuesday after he was observed in Franklin Square allegedly selling six glassine envelopes of what appears to be heroin to Kenneth J. Butler II, 28, also of Franklin Square.

Officers from the Fourth Precinct recovered 20 Suboxone pills, nine white Alprazolam pills, additional glassine envelopes believed to be heroin, Klonopin, Valium and Clonazapam pills in Dipierno’s car. 

Detectives were able to obtain a search warrant of Dipierno's residence, where they more than 4,000 tablets and several hundred bottles of anabolic steroids, plastic bags containing pills/capsules believed to be Alprazolam, Vyvanese, Clonazepam, Diazepam, Methandrostenolane, Oxycodone, Suboxone, and Carisprodol. In his home, they also found several hundred vials of Ketamine and liquid Anabolic Steroids, severeal packets of Valium, Heroin, assorted assault rifles, two .12 gauge pump shotguns, assorted magazines and ammunition, commercial grade explosives, digital scales and more than $7K.

Dipierno is being charged with two counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Control Substance, four counts of third-degree Criminal Possession of a Control Substance, one count of a fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Control Substance, second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, eight counts of third-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Reckless Endangerment, and two New York State Labor Laws of Storage of Explosives and Licenses and Certificates.  

Butler was also arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a Control Substance. Both men were arraigned Wednesday at First District Court, Hempstead.

Uniondale Man Arrested for Hempstead Shooting

An investigation into a shooting that occurred in Hempstead in late April led to the arrest last Monday of a Uniondale man.

Julio C. Castaneda, 33, was arrested on Jan. 28 at 4:15 p.m. in Hempstead. He is charged with second-degree Attempted Murder, first-degree Criminal Use of a Firearm, second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and fourth-degree Possession of a Dangerous Weapon.

According to detectives,  Castaneda allegedly shot a 40-year-old Uniondale man outside of Las Gemalas, located at 193 Main St. in Hempstead, around 2:30 a.m. on April 29, 2012. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to his lower back and was transported by police ambulance to a local area hospital for treatment.

Castaneda was arraigned on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at First District Court in Hempstead.

Six Charged with Selling Alcohol to Minor

Nassau County Police along with Hempstead Police arrested six store clerks in Hempstead Friday for selling alcohol to a minor.

An underage agent assisted with the “Project 21” initiative, which led to the arrests of:

  • Isabel Jurado, 55, of Hicksville, who allegedly sold alcohol to a minor at the Noldos Deli III, located at 435 Clinton St. in Hempstead.
  • Rajinder Singh, 29, of Queens Village, who allegedly sold alcohol to a minor at Son’s Liquor Store, located at 424 Clinton St. in Hempstead.
  • Julio Rodriguez, 51, of Merrick, who allegedly sold alcohol to a minor at Bodega Hispana, located at 393 Clinton St. in Hempstead.
  • Rohit Sharma, 22, of Hempstead, who allegedly sold alcohol to a minor at Shamrock, located at 404 Clinton St. in Hempstead.
  • Sukhminder, 43, of Richmond Hill, who allegedly sold alcohol to a minor at B.P. Amoco, located at 375 Clinton St. in Hempstead.
  • Ryan C. Surlis, 21, of Franklin Square, who allegedly sold alcohol to a minor at Bedrock Bar & Grill, located at 375 Clinton St. in Hempstead.

All defendants are charged with Prohibited Sale of Alcoholic Beverage and Unlawful Dealing with a Child and were released on appearance tickets.  They are due back in First District Court in Hempstead on Wednesday, Feb. 13.

TD Bank Robbed on Franklin Avenue

Police are searching for two suspects who robbed the Franklin Avenue TD Bank Wednesday evening.

According to Nassau County detectives, around 7 p.m., one female and one male black suspect entered TD Bank, located at 855 Franklin Ave., and demanded cash from the teller. After obtaining an undetermined amount of cash, the suspects fled on foot out the front door and ran towards the back parking lot, police said.

The female suspect is described to be between 30- 40 years old, approximately 5-foot-5 tall, wearing a white-hooded sweat jacket, a black New York Yankee baseball cap and black pants. The male suspect is described as approximately 5-foot-9, wearing a black knit cap, a black “Boston Celtics” jacket and jeans.

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

DNA Leads to Arrest of Burglar

A Far Rockaway man was arrested on Jan. 30 for allegedly burglarizing a Valley Stream dry cleaner after he was identified using blood evidence found at the crime scene.

According to Nassau County Police detectives, Stanley Holland, 52, forcibly entered Swan Dry Cleaners, located at 188 West Merrick Rd., on Nov. 27 after regular business hours. Holland allegedy removed an undisclosed amount of cash and clothing.

On Jan. 17, the New York State Forensic Investigation Center confirmed a DNA match on blood evidence found at the business. Holland was located Wednesday and placed under arrest without incident. He is charged with third-degree Burglary and was arraigned Thursday in First District Court in Hempstead. 

Pair Robs Valley Stream Gas Station

Nassau County Police are investigating a robbery that occurred Sunday at the Valero gas station in North Valley Stream.

According to Fourth Squad detectives, two male suspects entered the station, located at 758 Franklin Ave., around 8:20 p.m. annd approached one male clerk. One of the suspects threatened the use of a gun, and ordered the clerk to the ground. The victim complied. 

As one suspect watched over the victim, detectives say the other ordered a second clerk to open the cash register. After Suspect #1 took the money from the register, both robbers fled on foot to a maroon Kia Sole that was parked on Agnes Court, according to detectives. They made a U-turn and fled southbound on Franklin Avenue.

No injuries were reported.

The suspects are described as white males. Suspect #1 is 5’8” tall, heavy build, and was wearing a black ski mask, black coat, and blue pants with yellow stripe.  Suspect #2 is 6’ tall, thin build, and was wearing a white mask, white gloves, black sweater, and black pants.  No further description is available.

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

Unlicensed Massage Worker Charged with Prostitution

While working at a Franklin Square spa, a Queens woman was arrested Wednesday for unlicensed massage and prostitution.

According to Nassau County Police, Hong Yao, 45, of Kew Gardens, while working at Swan Spa (719 Hempstead Tpke.) allegedly conducted massage therapy on an undercover Narcotics/Vice Bureau detective without a license. Yao then also allegedly offered to engage in a sexual act for an additional amount of money. She was then placed under arrest around 2:30 p.m. without incident.

Yao is charged with Unauthorized Practice of a Crime and Prostitution. She was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Jan. 31.


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