The latest crime wave in Nassau County saw everything from a fatal shooting in Hempstead to a daring church burglary in Franklin Square. Here’s a breakdown of the most recent police reports and arrests, straight from law enforcement.
Burglary in Franklin Square
On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Franklin Square became the target of a late-night burglary. Around 9:50 PM, an unknown male suspect broke into the church by forcing open a locked basement door. Once inside, the burglar pried open a donation box and made off with an unknown amount of money.
The suspect is described as a male Black, approximately 5’10” with a thin build. At the time of the crime, he was seen wearing a white hat with a blue brim, a brown sweater, black pants, and a black face covering. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the suspect to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.
Hempstead Homicide – Victim Identified
In the early hours of Saturday, September 21, 2024, Hempstead police were called to Yale Street after reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found a 39-year-old man inside a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was rushed to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead by hospital staff.
Update: The victim has been identified as Maurice Sinclair Thomas, a 39-year-old resident of Hempstead. The investigation into the homicide is ongoing, and police urge anyone with information to reach out to Nassau County Crime Stoppers.
Robbery in New Cassel
In New Cassel, a 49-year-old man was violently attacked and robbed while walking at the intersection of Prospect Avenue and Siegel Street on Monday, September 23, 2024, around midnight. Three unknown men approached him from behind, punched him in the head, and threw him to the ground. After stealing the victim’s wallet, the attackers fled on foot in an unknown direction.
The robbers are described as Black males between 25 and 30 years old. The victim sustained a contusion on his forehead and an abrasion on his hand but was otherwise unharmed.
Grand Larceny in Mineola Ends in Arrest
A 69-year-old woman in Mineola had her car stolen in broad daylight on Thursday, September 19, 2024. After parking her 2011 Toyota Corolla on Jericho Turnpike, she left the keys inside the vehicle. As she returned to the parking spot, she saw her car being driven away by an unknown suspect. The victim immediately called 911.
Officers quickly spotted the stolen vehicle driving west on Jericho Turnpike. A pursuit ensued, ending when the suspect crashed into a parked car on Central Avenue in Garden City Park. The driver, identified as 27-year-old Eleya Dah, was arrested without incident and taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Dah is charged with multiple offenses, including Grand Larceny and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. He is scheduled for arraignment on Friday, September 20, 2024.
Narcotics Bust in Farmingdale
A major drug bust occurred in Farmingdale on Friday, September 20, 2024, when police arrested 26-year-old Mackenzie Beck of West Babylon. Beck was spotted in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven on Main Street, where he sold MDMA, Phenethylanine, and LSD from his vehicle. After the sale, detectives arrested Beck and recovered large quantities of illegal substances, including Ketamine and approximately 252 grams of Mescaline, from his car.
Beck is facing a slew of charges, including three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance and seven counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. He will be arraigned on Saturday, September 20, 2024, in Hempstead.
Stay tuned for updates on these ongoing investigations, and if you have any information, contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers to keep our communities safe.
