Man arrested for crimes in Uniondale, Hempstead, Levittown

The Nassau County Homicide Squad reports the arrest of a man for the attempted murder of a police officer that occurred on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at 12:00 a.m. in Uniondale.

According to detectives, Bureau of Special Operations (BSO) officers were traveling westbound on Southern Parkway when they observed a black Dodge Charger that matched the description of a vehicle involved in a robbery that occurred on Feb. 16 in Levittown. Officers activated their emergency lights and sirens and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver, a 20-year-old man, refused to pull over and continued on Nassau Road.

The driver then stopped the Charger, exited, pulled out a handgun and aimed it at the officers. He discharged at least two rounds at the officers, who returned fire. The driver reentered his vehicle and drove to Arthur Street in Uniondale, where he abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

Officers arrested the man, Jonathan R. Vazquez, 20, of Ackerson Boulevard, Bayshore, a short time later. Vazquez is being charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder of a police officer, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and second-degree assault. He was arraigned on March 2 at First District Court, Hempstead.

It was determined that Vazquez was responsible for an incident that occurred in Hempstead on February 8, 2022. He is charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree criminal use of a firearm and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Vazquez was also responsible for a robbery on Feb. 16 in Levittown. He is charged with first-degree robbery and was arraigned on March 2 at First District Court, Hempstead.