$15K In Lotto Tickets Stolen From Nassau Stores; Ghost Gun Recovered: PD

HICKSVILLE, NY — Two men were arrested Tuesday after Nassau police said they broke into two Hicksville stores and stole $15,792 worth of scratch-off tickets.

Justin Rodriguez, 22, of Bethpage, and Nicholas Arena, 21, of West Babylon, threw a large stone through a window of a 7-Eleven at 11 E. Old Country Road, Hicksville, on Sunday, police said. They stole New York state scratch-off tickets worth $9,7420 and fled before officers got there, police said.

One of the men threw a large stone through the front glass door of Circle K at 125 Bloomingdale Road, Hicksville, around 11:15 p.m. May 9, police said. The other man helped him steal more NYS scratch-off tickets worth roughly $6,050, and both fled before officers got there, police said.

Rodriguez and Arena on April 29 went to a South Farmingdale business to scan lottery tickets they had previously stolen before the Hicksville break-ins, police told Patch.

Officers seized an illegal 9 mm ghost gun from Rodriguez, police said. Both men were arrested without incident, police said.

Rodriguez and Arena were each charged with one count of third-degree burglary, one count of third-degree criminal mischief, and four counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Rodriguez was also charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of third-degree criminal possession.

Their arraignment was scheduled for Thursday at First District Court, at 99 Main St., Hempstead.