Nassau Mall Thief Punches, Bites, Pushes People, Police Say

VALLEY STREAM, NY — Police have arrested a Brooklyn man who they say robbed a Hollister store at the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream, punched and bit people who tried to stop him, then pushed an elderly woman to the ground and got in her car.

Officers were sent to the store around 2 p.m. Wednesday. Investigators learned that Jusham Graham, 31, of Newport Street, grabbed merchandise off the shelves and tried to walk out of the store without paying, Nassau County police said.

He punched and bit asset protection agents and took off on foot, police said. Graham ran through the BJ’s parking lot, pushed an elderly woman to the ground and got into her car, police said. The woman screamed and Graham got out of the vehicle, and took off again on foot.

Officers found him hiding in a bush near the mall and arrested him without incident.

Anyone with information about the woman who was pushed to the ground should call police at 515-573-6553.

Graham was charged with robbery, assault, petit larceny and possession of burglar tools. He was expected in court Thursday in Hempstead.