Crime & Safety
Update: Man Who Sparked Roosevelt Field Frenzy Charged
Security was trying to apprehend shoplifter, knocking over display case and causing panic at the mall, police said.
Originally reported Dec. 24, 2013 at 2:09 p.m.
A West Hempstead man who reportedly set shoppers into chaos on Christmas Eve has been charged with petit larceny, according to Nassau County Police.
Officials said Aaron Darby, 19, of West Hempstead, was charged with failing to pay for merchandise at Macy's in Roosevelt Field Mall Tuesday.
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Police rushed to the mall after a 911 caller reported three men fighting inside Macy's, cops said. First responders witnesses shoppers rushing away from the mall as they reported hearing gunshots, officers stated. Several 911 calls were received as people reported hearing gunshots, cops said.
After an investigation, police said the gunshots people heard were actually from a display case that crashed to the ground as mall security attempted to apprehend Darby.
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Cops quickly released a statement Tuesday, saying, "In response to a report of shots being fired at [Roosevelt Field Mall], we can now confirm that there were in fact no shots fired at the mall."
Several people reported injuries in the scuffle, police said.
Darby was arrested at the scene and charged with petit larceny. He was released on an appearance ticket and return to First District Court in Hempstead on Jan. 7.
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