Arrest Made in Fatal Shooting of Nassau Gas Station Attendant

A 23-year-old Westbury man was arrested on Wednesday and charged with fatally shooting a Jericho gas station attendant during a robbery in January, police said.

Joshua N. Golson-Orelus, 23, is charged with first degree murder, second degree robbery, first degree attempted robbery and two counts of second degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Police say Golson-Orelus shot 56-year-old Hany Awad, of Levittown, around 9:10 p.m. on January 28 at the BP gas station located at 39 Jericho Turnpike. A customer found Awad’s body on the flood behind the counter. Awad suffered a gunshot wound to the torso and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Nassau police said in February that they believed the person who killed Awad was also behind a string of robberies at Nassau gas stations and convenience stores over a two-month period in the winter, but police did not immediately indicate Thursday whether Golson-Orelus will faces charges for any other crimes. Police are expected to release more information at a press conference later Thursday.

Golson-Orelus will be arraigned on Thursday at First District Court in Hempstead.