Crime & Safety
Homeless Brothers Tried To Steal From Drivers: Police
Police say the two pulled over on the side of the road to lure drivers into stopping to offer them help.
Two homeless brothers were arrested on Saturday afternoon after police say they were trying to rob people on the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway.
According to police, a 54-year-old man was driving south on the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway and exiting onto the Long Island Expressway when he saw a black Toyota 4Runner with California license plates stopped on the right shoulder. The man pulled over to assist the car. Police say the passenger of the Toyota, Catalin Vaduva, 24, approached the man's car and reached into the passenger window and tried to steal property from the center console. The man drove away, and police say he saw Vaduva stop another car. Vaduva ran back to the Toyota, police say, entered the passenger side, and then fled onto the Long Island Expressway.
Vaduva was later stopped in traffic at the Round Swamp Road exit and located by police. He was taken from the car and arrested without incident.
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A further investigation led to police arresting the driver of the car, Valentin Vaduva, 18, who is Catalin's brother and also homeless. In the back seat of the car were three young girls, ages 15, 3 and 2. The girls were released to a family member.
Upon further investigation, the passenger, Catalin Vaduva, 24, who is homeless, was observed stopped in traffic at the Round Swamp Road Exit. The subject was removed from the vehicle and placed under arrest without further incident.
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Catalin and Valentin Vaduva were charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, fourth-degree attempted grand larceny and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Valentin Vaduva is also charged with multiple vehicle and traffic law violations. They were both arraigned on Monday in First District Court in Hempstead.
Police ask anyone who thinks they were a victim of the two brothers to call the Nassau County Police Department-Second Squad at 516-573-6253. All callers will remain anonymous.
Photos: Catalin Vaduva, left, and Valentin Vaduva. Courtesy Nassau County Police Department.
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