Crime & Safety

Crime Nearby: Alleged Kidnapper Caught, Pantless Man on the Loose

A round-up of top crime and police stories reported in neighboring communities.

The following arrest information was supplied by several local police departments. A criminal charge is only an accusation and does not indicate convictions.

West Hempstead

  • A Baldwin man was arrested April 5 in West Hempstead after an alleged robbery and assault near the new West130 apartment complex. According to Nassau County detectives, around 9 a.m., Keith L. Crews, 48, entered a White Ford Truck that was parked in the rear lot of 151 Hempstead Ave. and removed an LG cell phone. Crews then fled on foot west to the rear lot of 169 Hempstead Ave. where police said he broke the rear passenger side window to a 2003 Jeep and removed its car stereo.The Jeep's owner, a 67-year-old male, confronted Crews. He then punched the car owner in the chest and knocked him down, police said. The victim got up and chased Crews on foot eastbound on Hempstead Avenue, police said. He was able to stop Crews in the rear lot of 111 Hempstead Ave. Crews then dropped the stereo and fled again on foot north. Fourth Precinct police officers later observed Crews in the lot of 50 Hempstead Ave. and conducted an investigation, police said. The LG cell phone was recovered and Fourth Precinct Police placed him into custody without incident. The Jeep owner was transported to a local hospital by a Nassau County Ambulance and treated for back and chest pain. Crews is charged with robbery in the second degree, criminal mischief in the third degree and petit larceny.
Mineola
  • According to Nassau County Third Precinct detectives, at approximately 1:30 a.m. April 5 Patrice D. Donely Jr. drove to the Hempstead Bus Terminal and forced his 27-year-old ex-girlfriend, who was standing across the street, into his car at gun point. He drove her to a house in Hollis, Queens, dragged her out of the car into the garage, and while armed with the gun, threatened to kill himself and her if they didn’t get back together. After an undisclosed amount of time the victim agreed to get back with Donely, at which time he drove her home without any further incident. At 1:54 p.m. the defendant phoned the victim from Jiffy Lube located at 232 Jericho Turnpike in Mineola. Third Squad detectives responded and placed him under arrest at about 3:30 p.m. It was determined the victim had a stay away order of protection against the defendant. Donely is charged with second degree kidnapping, first degree criminal contempt and second degree menacing.
  • Police arrested a Bronx man wanted in connection with several burglaries at the Brichwood Court apartment complex in Mineola. Together in a joint investigation with the Long Beach Police DepartmentNassau County Police arrested Morris Santaniello, 60 of the Bronx April 10 at 10:45 p.m. The Long Beach Police Department identified the defendant and along with Nassau County detectives the defendant was placed under arrest in Astoria, Queens by the Third Squad. According to police, at approximately 6 p.m. on Jan. 8, Santaniello entered an apartment at 190 Mineola Ave. in Mineola and removed an undisclosed amount of jewelry belonging to the 81-year-old female victim. On Feb. 19 at 11:15 a.m. the defendant entered an apartment at 4 Birchwood Court in Mineola and after being discovered by the 69-year-old female victim, he pushed past her after removing an undisclosed amount of jewelry. No injuries were reported. Later that same day Santaniello reportedly again entered the Birchwood Court Apartments and went into two apartments at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. removing an undisclosed amount of jewelry from a 64-year-old female and a 58-year old female victim, respectively. Santaniello is charged with four counts of second degree burglary. The Long Beach Police Department anticipates additional local charges for defendant Santaniello.
Lynbrook
  • Police are searching for a man who allegedly took his pants off and drove past Marion Street School April 9. According to Nassau County detectives, around 3:15 p.m., the suspect was observed removing his pants and underwear behind a group of bushes on Scranton Avenue near the Lynbrook-East Rockaway border. Police said the suspect then entered a dark-colored Volvo SUV with a white-colored New York license plate. The license plate number was not seen. The suspect drove south on Waverly Avenue and minutes later was observed driving past Marion Street School, police said. He did not drive on school property and students from the school had already dismissed for the day. The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male, very light skinned, between 35 and 40 years old, approximately 6 feet tall, between 180 and 200 pounds, with very close shaved hair and wearing a beige shirt. Detectives request anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.


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