Cops: Four Arrested After Midday Manhasset Robbery

Four Brooklyn men were arrested on Friday for a midday robbery at London Jewelers Watch Boutique and Gift Gallery, located in the Americana Manhasset shopping center, according to Nassau County Police.

Police say Leroy Nelson 27, of 831 Monroe Avenue, Javon Gamble 31, of 960 Bushwick Avenue, Reggie Fowler 23, of 455 Carlton Avenue and an unknown male entered the store, brandishing two handguns and a sledgehammer. They wore, gloves, blue jumpsuits and black bandanas over their faces, according to police.

The accomplice with the sledgehammer smashed several display cases, and the fourth person removed numerous Rolex and Breitling watches, police say.

The defendants fled on foot to a black Cadillac Escalade waiting on Northern Boulevard. The vehicle, operated by Samuel Cephas 30, of 5223 Synder Avenue, fled eastbound on Northern Boulevard, with Sixth Precinct police officers in pursuit. The vehicle entered the westbound Long Island Expressway, but due to heavy traffic, stopped, and the defendants exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

The men were arrested without incident in the Lake Success Country Club vicinity, after an extensive search by Nassau County Police, including special operations, canine and mounted units, and Lake Success and NYPD officers.

A handgun was recovered. The fifth suspect was not apprehended, and is being sought. The defendants have all been charged with robbery and criminal use of a firearm. Cephas was also charged with reckless endangerment and unlawful fleeing of a police officer. Police said the four apprehended men would be arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Saturday.

Thirteen employees and one customer were in the store at the time of the robbery. There were no reported injuries.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this crime to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.