Man Stole Cars From People After Test Driving Them: Police

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — A Queens man was arrested after police say he stole multiple cars from people around Nassau County after pretending he was interested in buying them.

According to police, an investigation led detectives to Navindra Naidu, 19, of 213th Street, whom they say was responsible for three car thefts in Nassau since May.

Police say Naidu arranged to meet with a 34-year-old man at 10:30 p.m. on May 29 in East Meadow to test drive a car the man was selling. After the test drive, police say the man was standing outside the car when Naidu jumped into the driver's seat and began to drive away. The man tried to stop him by grabbing the driver's door, police say, and was dragged by the car, causing an injury to his shoulder.

At 9:15 p.m. on June 4, police say Naidu arranged to meet with a 31-year-old man in Westbury who was selling his car. After a test drive, police say the man was standing outside the passenger-side door when Naidu began to drive away with the car. Police say the man tried to get back into the car, but Naidu raised his shirt and showed him the butt of a handgun, and then drove away in the car.

A day later, at 10:30 p.m. in Roosevelt, police say Naidu arranged to meet with a 39-year-old woman who was selling her car. He asked to take it for a test drive, police said, but the woman refused. Police say Naidu then took the keys from the woman and got into the car. The woman tried to get the keys back from Naidu, police say, but was hit in the head by the car door, causing a cut above her eye. Police say Naidu then drove away in the car.

Naidu was placed under arrest by Nassau County police at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center in North Brunswick, New Jersey. He is charged with first-degree robbery and four counts of second-degree robbery. He is scheduled to be arraigned on July 8.