Nassau County has witnessed several criminal activities recently, ranging from drug offenses and theft to violent assaults and DWI charges. The Nassau County Police Department has been actively addressing these incidents, leading to multiple arrests and charges.
Queens Man Arrested for Multiple Crimes in North Lawrence
On September 11, 2024, at approximately 1:40 PM, William Foster, 44, of 5616 Beach Channel Drive, Queens, was apprehended in North Lawrence. Foster, who had been under investigation for a series of thefts, was charged with multiple offenses, including Robbery 1st Degree, Grand Larceny 4th Degree, and Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance 5th Degree.
Foster is accused of shoplifting from various stores, including Marshalls and DSW, and was also found in possession of what is believed to be cocaine. On August 24, 2024, he allegedly displayed a handgun during a robbery at Burlington Coat Factory. Foster was also found to have an open Bench Warrant in Nassau County. He will face arraignment on September 12, 2024, at the First District Court in Hempstead.
East Meadow Man Arrested for Elder Scam
On September 10, 2024, an 82-year-old resident of East Meadow was targeted in a scam orchestrated by Zongjin Teng, 26. Teng posed as a Microsoft employee and convinced the elderly victim to withdraw his savings under the pretense of a compromised bank account. The victim, suspicious of the scam, contacted the police before completing the transaction. Teng was arrested on September 11, 2024, and charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree and Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree.
Three Cedarhurst Men Charged in Violent Robbery
Three men from Cedarhurst—Daniel Avital, 36, Jacob Avital, 40, and Dov Avital, 31—were arrested on September 11, 2024, in connection with a brutal robbery. According to detectives, a male victim, 31, was attempting to sell his bracelet to Five Towns Jewelry Buyers located at 589 Willow Avenue. He called the number listed for the store but was instructed to come to 542 Redwood Drive because the store is under renovations. When the victim arrived at the residence, he was approached by three men. The male subjects forcibly grabbed the victim dragging him into the house, while striking him with a closed fist and baseball bat. The suspects also threatened him with a sledgehammer. The male subjects then removed an iPhone, bracelet and driver license from the victim prior to fleeing the scene. A short time later, officers located the defendants and arrested them without incident. All three men face charges including Robbery 1st Degree and Assault 2nd Degree.
Undetermined Death in Roslyn
On September 10, 2024, at approximately 5:56 PM, human remains were discovered in Hempstead Harbor. The deceased male’s identity and cause of death remain undetermined as the investigation continues.
Oyster Bay Laundromat Burglarized
Between September 9 and September 10, 2024, Lee’s Laundromat in Oyster Bay was burglarized. The unknown perpetrator pried open a rear door and stole approximately $1,500.00. The suspect’s identity remains unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.
Cedarhurst School Burglary Arrests
Kevin Jimenez Ramos, 24, and Kevin Diaz, 24, were arrested for a burglary at Shulamith School for Girls in Cedarhurst. The burglary occurred on August 31, 2024, where the suspects were found rummaging through several offices. Both men have been charged with Burglary 3rd Degree.
Bomb Threat at Uniondale School
On September 10, 2024, at approximately 7:12 AM, an anonymous message was sent through the 988 Lifeline chat system, claiming that bombs had been placed around Kellenburg Memorial High School in Uniondale. The threat prompted a swift response from law enforcement, who evacuated students and staff and conducted a thorough search of the premises. No explosives were found, and the school reopened later that day. Homeland Security is assisting with the ongoing investigation.
Public Lewdness Incident in Plainview
On September 8, 2024, at 1:36 AM, an unknown male subject was reported exposing himself and urinating on a residence’s front door and ring doorbell on Grohmans Lane in Plainview. The suspect activated the ring doorbell and fled the scene while shouting derogatory comments. The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 18-20 years old, wearing a white t-shirt, jeans, and a white hat. The investigation is ongoing.
Two Arrested for Grand Larceny in Lawrence
On September 8, 2024, at 2:50 PM, two men were arrested for a grand larceny that occurred at Kay Jewelers in Lawrence. Demari Harvey, 21, of Rosedale, was caught fleeing the store with a $5,700 necklace. Kymani Blake, 20, of St. Albans, was also arrested inside the store. Both men face charges of Grand Larceny 3rd Degree.
Criminal Mischief at Searingtown Jewish Center
On August 30, 2024, at 9:00 PM, an unknown individual vandalized the Shelter Rock Jewish Center in Searingtown by throwing red paint over a banner that read “We stand with Israel, bring them home now.” The suspect(s) fled the scene, and the investigation is ongoing.
Bayville Man Arrested for Unsecured Firearms
On September 3, 2024, at 2:30 PM, Alfredo Caceres, 55, of Bayville, was arrested after his 11-year-old son brandished a black shotgun while threatening a bicyclist. The weapons, including an unloaded Mossberg Maverick 20 Gauge shotgun and a Crossman .22 caliber pellet gun, were found unsecured. Caceres was charged with Failure to Safely Store Firearms 1st Degree. No one was harmed in the incident.
Burglary Arrest in Levittown
On September 6, 2024, at 11:40 AM, Dashawn Thompkins, 46, was arrested at a Levittown residence following a domestic disturbance. Thompkins had unlawfully entered the home of a 53-year-old woman and engaged in a verbal altercation. He was found hiding in a closet and resisted arrest, leading officers to use a Taser. Thompkins is charged with Burglary 2nd Degree, Criminal Contempt 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, and Resisting Arrest.
Bomb Threat at Westbury Family Court
On September 6, 2024, at 9:25 AM, Family Court in Westbury received a bomb threat, prompting the evacuation of the building. A thorough search was conducted, and no explosives were found. The investigation remains active.
Arrests for Illegal Activities at Wantagh and Bellmore Spas
On September 5, 2024, at 4:20 PM, Ling Li, 32, of Brooklyn, and Lifen Luo, 45, of Woodbury, were arrested at Thai Spa in Wantagh for conducting illegal massages and prostitution. Similarly, on the same day at 2:50 PM, Jholdana Rojas, 37, Youchun Zhang, 49, and Shaoyu Xiong, 36, were arrested at a spa in Bellmore for related offenses. All five individuals face various charges, including Unauthorized Practice of a Profession and Prostitution.
Long Beach Pair Busted for Drugs
On the night of September 3, 2024, Nassau County’s Fourth Squad made a significant drug-related arrest in Island Park. Officers observed a red Honda with an improperly affixed rear license plate on Austin Boulevard. The vehicle, driven by Joanne McClenic, 53, from Long Beach, and occupied by Markee Reeder, 47, of Long Beach, was stopped for the traffic violation.
During the stop, Reeder attempted to destroy narcotics he was carrying. Despite his efforts to evade capture, Reeder was arrested after a struggle. Police recovered 12.39 grams of crack cocaine, 18.9 grams of heroin, .32 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, and several prescription pills. Reeder faces multiple charges, including seven counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Resisting Arrest. McClenic is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. Reeder was transported to a hospital for treatment, and both defendants will appear in court on September 4, 2024.
Hicksville Theft and Fraud
Elizabeth Stern, 52, of Hicksville, was arrested on September 3, 2024, following an extensive investigation into theft and forgery. Over 18 months, Stern allegedly used stolen checks from her former employer, Superior Air Condition & Heating Systems Inc., to pay off her credit cards and cashed others, totaling approximately $340,958. Stern faces serious charges, including Grand Larceny and Identity Theft.
Massapequa DWI Incident
At 12:05 AM on September 3, 2024, Damilola Olaleke, 40, of Virginia, was arrested for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated in Massapequa Park under Leandra’s Law. Police stopped Olaleke’s vehicle on Sunrise Highway for erratic driving. Olaleke was found intoxicated with his 10-year-old son, and three daughters aged 7, 6, and 3 seated in the back seat of the vehicle. They were released to a family member who was also a passenger of the vehicle. Olaleke faces charges including Aggravated DWI and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Williston Park Burglary
On the evening of September 2, 2024, Anthony Miola, 49, of Mineola, was arrested in connection with a burglary at Yummy Gyro in Williston Park. The burglary involved the theft of approximately $3,500. Miola was apprehended with a burnt glass pipe containing a burnt substance believed to be crack cocaine and charged with Burglary, Grand Larceny, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Baldwin Assault Incident
Five men were arrested in Baldwin on September 2, 2024, after a violent altercation. The group, including three juveniles, assaulted a 54-year-old man following an argument.
According to detectives, officers responded to a 911 call for a disturbance in the vicinity of McKenna Avenue and Milburn Avenue. Upon arrival, officers observed a 54-year-old male victim with severe swelling and bleeding on his face. It was determined the victim and five males, who remained at scene, were involved in an argument regarding an auto accident. The argument escalated and the males punched the victim in the face multiple times.
One defendant was found in possession of a stolen credit card and the victim’s car keys. All five face charges of Gang Assault, with additional charges for one juvenile related to stolen property.
Woodmere Larceny
Shamel Medley, 20, of Inwood, was arrested on September 2, 2024, for grand larceny after being found with items stolen from vehicles in Woodmere and Cedarhurst. Medley, along with a juvenile, faces charges including Grand Larceny and Identity Theft.
Roosevelt Assault
Betty Cater, 80, of Hempstead, was arrested on September 1, 2024, after assaulting a police officer during an investigation in Roosevelt. Cater is charged with Assault, Obstructing Governmental Administration, and Resisting Arrest.
West Hempstead Robbery
On September 1, 2024, a 65-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint in West Hempstead. Two suspects, dressed in black, approached the victim, brandished a handgun, and stole his vehicle. The suspects fled westbound on Hempstead Turnpike.
Hicksville Assault
Wesslin Omar Ramirez Castillo, 18, of Hicksville, was arrested on September 1, 2024, following an assault involving two juveniles. Ramirez Castillo is charged with Attempted Assault and Menacing after throwing a beer bottle at the victims.
Jericho Attempted Burglary
David Li, 27, of Manhattan, was arrested in Jericho on August 31, 2024, for Attempted Burglary and violating the Nassau County Mask Transparency Act. Li was apprehended after attempting to break into a residence while wearing a ski mask.
Westbury Weapon Possession
Patrick Martinez, 41, of Westbury, was arrested on August 31, 2024, for Criminal Possession of a Firearm. Police found him illegally in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun and ammunition after a woman reported finding the gun in her residence.
Hempstead DWI Incident
Daniela Muneton Rios, 32, of Hicksville, was arrested on August 31, 2024, for Driving While Intoxicated with her 8-month-old daughter in the vehicle. She struck an unoccupied vehicle in Hempstead and is charged with Aggravated DWI and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. No injuries were reported. The infant was released into the custody of a family friend.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
