Nassau Man Charged In 3 Violent Robberies: Police

HEMPSTEAD, NY — Nassau County police arrested a Hempstead man they say is responsible for multiple violent robberies in the area this month.

Police say an investigation led them to arrest Lesean Armstead, 36, of Fulton Avenue, Hempstead, on Sept. 22 for three violent robberies that occurred earlier this month.

At 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 5, police say Armstead entered VIM clothing store at 45 Main St. in Hempstead and took a pair of sweatpants off the rack. He tried to leave the store without paying, police said, and was stopped by a 39-year-old man who worked at the store. Police say Armstead punched the man multiple times, and then fled the store with the pants.

At 5:57 p.m. on Sept. 11, police say Armstead entered Chicken and Sub Deli, at 618 Fulton Ave. in Hempstead, and walked behind the counter to the cash register. He then pulled out a handgun, police said, pointed it at a 58-year-old man who was working at the store, and demanded money. The employee gave him cash from the register, police said, and Armstead then fled on food.

At 6:15 a.m. on Sept. 13, police say Armstead was outside of the 7-Eleven at 66 South Franklin St. in Hempstead when he forcibly took a wallet from the pants pocket of an employee. Police say Armstead then punched the 43-year-old man and knocked him to the ground. He proceeded to beat the man until he fell unconscious, police say.

Armstead is charged with two counts of first-degree robbery and one count of second-degree robbery. He is scheduled to be arraigned later today.