Two charged with robbery

Nassau County Police Department reported the arrest of two men for robbery on Wednesday, July 20, at 12:30 a.m. in East Meadow.

According to detectives, a female victim, 26, was sitting in her car outside her home located on Windsor Gate Drive in North Hills at 1:10 a.m. when Jose Franco, 17, of Glenn Court in Farmingdale, approached her driver’s side window and engaged her in conversation. He then pulled out a pocketknife and proceeded to put it against her chest as he grabbed her purse. Franco then fled in a red 2005 Dodge Neon, driven by Medardo Gomez-Soriano, 16, of 24th Street, Copiague.

The vehicle was observed running a red light at Stewart Avenue and Merrick Road in Westbury and proceeded south on Park Avenue in Eisenhower Park. The vehicle then collided with another vehicle while exiting the park on Hempstead Turnpike. Franco and Gomez-Soriano were arrested at the scene. No injuries were reported.

After investigation, it was determined that the red Dodge was reported stolen from Suffolk County earlier the previous day, July 19. The car also left the scene of two other accidents on July 19, one in Farmingdale at 8:50 p.m. and another soon after in Westbury. Police recovered the victim’s purse from the vehicle.

During the investigation, Franco gave two false names before being properly identified. He was charged with first-degree robbery, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny, fourth-degree possession of a dangerous weapon, two counts of false impersonation and leaving the scene of an auto accident. Gomez-Soriano was charged with first-degree robbery, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny, third-degree unlawful fleeing of a police officer, reckless driving and multiple vehicle and traffic violations. Both defendants were arraigned on Thursday, July 21, at the First District Court in Hempstead.