Police: Man Stole 50 Cell Phones From Hicksville Store

A Hicksville man was arrested after police said he broke into a Metro PCS store and stole over 50 cell phones Tuesday morning.

According to authorities, Edmanual Collado Velez, 28, shattered the front window of the Metro PCS store, located at 55 Broadway, removed the cell phones and fled the scene in a white Ford econoline van at 2:25 a.m.

A Second Precinct officer heard a description of the vehicle over the radio and soon saw the white Ford traveling on West John Street and fleeing westbound towards Prospect Avenue.

The vehicle was then seen on South Service Road where it crashed into a guardrail near Jericho Turnpike, police said.

Velez was seen fleeing the crash on foot, police said.

He was discovered nearby and placed under arrest. Authorities were able to recover the stolen cell phones from the vehicle.

Velez was charged with third degree burglary, fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

He was arraigned Wednesday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Image via NCPD