Nassau County authorities have made significant strides in curbing criminal activities across the region with a series of recent arrests. From narcotics busts and DWI incidents to assaults and illegal weapons possession, the Nassau County Police Department has been active in safeguarding the community. The following are details of several notable cases that have led to the arrest of multiple suspects.
Narcotics Bust in Nassau County Nets Two Suspects
An extensive investigation into narcotics sales and criminal activity across Nassau County led to the arrest of two men, Miguel Pineda, 30, of Hicksville, and Juan Carlos Sanchez, 35, of Massachusetts. Authorities allege that the pair engaged in various criminal activities between March 25, 2024, and August 7, 2024.
Pineda faces a slew of charges, including ten counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree and multiple counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance across different degrees. During his arrest, detectives discovered fourteen mini Ziplock bags containing a white powdery substance, believed to be cocaine, on his person.
Sanchez, on the other hand, was found with thirteen mini Ziplock bags also believed to contain cocaine. He faces charges including Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree and Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree.
Both men were arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Pineda pled not guilty and was remanded without bail. Sanchez also pled not guilty and had bail set at $250,000 cash and $500,000 insured bond.
Oceanside Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of Fugitive with Weapons Cache
A routine traffic stop in Oceanside on August 8, 2024, turned into a significant bust for Nassau County Police when they arrested Joseph Zuziela, 43, of New Jersey. Zuziela was pulled over at Merrick Road and Oceanside Road, where officers discovered a cache of weapons, law enforcement paraphernalia, and various controlled substances.
Among the items seized were handcuffs, a gold badge, police uniforms, metal knuckles, a metal baton, counterfeit money, and a variety of drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and methadone. Zuziela also had an outstanding warrant from Somerset County, New Jersey.
In addition to multiple drug and weapons charges, Zuziela now faces potential new charges related to the police uniforms found in his possession. Nassau County Police have urged anyone who may have encountered Zuziela to contact Crime Stoppers.
Zuziela was in court on August 8th and pled not guilty. He was released on cashless bail.
Levittown Woman Arrested for DWI After Crashing with Juveniles in Car
In Levittown, a 21-year-old woman, Jessica Lemus, was arrested for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated under Leandra’s Law after crashing her 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee into a parked vehicle early Sunday morning, August 11, 2024. Police arrived at the scene on Flamingo Road to find Lemus exhibiting signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, watery eyes, and an odor of alcohol.
Two 15-year-old male passengers were in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Lemus was charged with multiple offenses, including Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Operating a Motor Vehicle by an Unlicensed Driver. She was arraigned later that day at First District Court in Hempstead.
Bayshore Man Arrested for DWI After Driving Wrong Way on Jericho Turnpike
A Bayshore man, Carlos Palaguachi, 51, was arrested for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated under Leandra’s Law after driving the wrong way on Jericho Turnpike in Mineola on Sunday, August 11, 2024. Police observed Palaguachi’s black 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes and stopped him near Jay Court.
Palaguachi, who had a 13-year-old passenger in the vehicle, showed signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and the smell of alcohol. He was arrested without incident and charged with multiple offenses, including Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Palaguachi was arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on the same day.
Elmont Man Assaults Officers During Medical Assistance Call
An Elmont man, Hurguens Jasmin, 28, was arrested on Saturday, August 10, 2024, after assaulting two officers responding to a call for medical assistance. When officers attempted to escort Jasmin from his bedroom, he punched one officer in the face, causing significant pain and swelling. Jasmin resisted arrest, leading to a struggle that resulted in injuries to a second officer.
A dagger was found inside Jasmin’s apartment. Both officers were treated at a local hospital for their injuries. Jasmin was taken into custody and is facing charges related to the assault.
Queens Man Arrested for Assault and Robbery in Nassau County
Phillip Mais, 35, of Queens, was arrested for assaulting and robbing a woman in Nassau County on August 6, 2024. The incident began as a verbal argument but quickly escalated when Mais forcibly removed the woman from her vehicle, grabbed her around the neck, and threatened her with a firearm. The victim managed to escape and call for help.
Investigators later determined that Mais had also assaulted the victim in June 2024 in Valley Stream, where he struck her repeatedly before destroying her cell phone to prevent her from calling 911. Mais, who has a history of violent crimes and was released from prison in 2021, faces multiple charges, including Robbery, Burglary, and Assault. He was arraigned on August 8, 2024, at First District Court in Hempstead.
Juvenile Arrested in Lakeview for Weapons Possession
A 17-year-old male was arrested in Lakeview on August 12, 2024, after officers discovered a loaded .380 Ruger handgun in his vehicle during a traffic stop. The juvenile was speeding on Woodfield Road when officers pulled him over. Upon investigation, the weapon was found, leading to his arrest without incident.
The juvenile faces multiple charges, including two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Firearm. He was arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on August 13, 2024.
Arrest Made in Seaford Sexual Abuse Case
Michael Hernandez, 20, of Bethpage, was arrested on August 13, 2024, in connection with a sexual abuse incident that occurred on June 23, 2024, in Seaford. Hernandez allegedly approached a 34-year-old woman walking behind 751 Seamans Neck Road, inappropriately touched her, and fled the scene. The investigation led to his arrest, and he has been charged with Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree.
The Nassau County Police have asked anyone who may have information about this incident or who believes they may have been a victim to contact Crime Stoppers.
Drug Transaction Leads to Arrests in Long Beach
Two men were arrested in Long Beach on August 7, 2024, following a drug transaction observed by detectives. Russell Sash, 57, of Long Beach, and Arthur F. Corso, 61, of Island Park, were taken into custody after approximately 23 grams of cocaine were confiscated.
Sash faces charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, while Corso is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree. Both men were arraigned on August 8, 2024, at First District Court in Hempstead.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
