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Fair Lynbrook firefighters capture robbery suspect
Lynbrook volunteer firefighters returning from a fire call caught one of two suspects of a robbery of a Lynbrook business last Saturday afternoon.
Four firefighters from Rescue, Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 of the Lynbrook Fire Department were returning on their ladder truck from when over the truck’s scanner radio, which also monitors the local Lynbrook police channel, they learned that police were searching the area for a male and female suspect who robbed the 16 Candles Yogurt store on Atlantic Avenue shortly after 1:15 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
The radio also reported that the male black suspect was possibly seen near the parking lot of 266 Merrick Road. The suspect was reported to be wearing a three-piece gray suit with a dark overcoat. The firefighters, nearly back to their firehouse, drove around the area looking for the male suspect but did not see him.
Immediately after backing the ladder truck into the firehouse on Earle Avenue, just off Merrick Road, the four firefighters, Captain Scott Bien, First Lieutenant Phil Tkacz and former captains John Donald and Larry Bien, decided to check their firehouse due to the close proximity to where the male suspect had been last seen. The four spread out and checked the main floor and apparatus area as well as the second-floor bathrooms and TV room and kitchen area. Bien spotted the suspect hiding in a second-floor bathroom. He quickly and quietly went back downstairs to call the Lynbrook police, who were still in the area searching for the suspect.
Lynbrook police quickly arrived and went up to the second floor and saw Bien holding the man after he ran from the bathroom and attempted to run away. Police took him from Bien and handcuffed him. Although no weapon was found on the suspect, identified as Paulo Howe, he was found to be wearing a bulletproof vest under the suit and had $600 on him in stolen cash.
Firefighters learned from the police that a female accomplice, identified as Monique Mooney, was apprehended by an off-duty Nassau County police officer on Merrick Road. According to news report, the female had allegedly kept the yogurt store employee busy asking for different things while the male took the money from the office.
Lynbrook Fire Chief John Chavatte praised the four firefighters for their quick thinking and willingness to get involved and making the apprehension.
Mooney and Howe were arraigned at First District in Hempstead, and both are being held and their next court date, which was scheduled for Wednesday.
