Crimes Nearby: Police Seek Burglary Suspect

Nassau County Police have issued an alert after a series of burglaries in the Great Neck area. 

The Third Precinct is seeking a serial burglar described as a 5-foot-10, medium-build black man in his early 20s. He’s been seen wearing dark clothing, a ski mask and carrying a black backpack or duffel bag.

Police say areas of heightened concern are on either side of Northern Boulevard in Russell Gardens and east of Middle Neck Road in Great Neck and Great Neck Gardens.

The burglar has entered homes through the rear sliding glass door, usually between 6-10 p.m. 

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

Nassau Police have charged a Hicksville resident on what amounts to a one-man crime spree dating to August.

Detectives arrested Carlos U. Mejia, 18, of 18 Holman Boulevard Tuesday evening without incident, picking him up on Hicksville Road at 4th Street.

According to detectives, the series of crimes involving stolen cars and harassment date to Aug. 13 when Mejia violated an order of protection against the male victim, 19, in Hicksville.

On Oct. 1, police learned that a previously reported stolen vehicle from the Grand Prix Auto Dealership was parked in a lot on Heitz Place in Hicksville.  When the complainant arrived at the scene to wait for police, he saw Mejia enter the lot driving a vehicle matching the description of one of the stolen cars.

The complainant approached Mejia about the vehicle and Mejia fled.

Nassau Police launched a search and found the defendant on Hicksville Road a short-time later. 

A subsequent search found the defendant in possession of all seven sets of keys to the stolen autos. Further investigation determined the vehicle that the defendant was driving had a reported stolen New York registration plate attached, police said.    

Mejia  is charged with two counts of criminal contempt, multiple counts of criminal possession of stolen property, grand larceny, petit larceny and aggravated harassment. 

A Memphis man was arrested Sunday in connection with last month's armed robbery at Chase Bank in Great Neck, Nassau County Police said.

Raymond Young, 70, was arrested with help from the Lake Success Police Department. He is charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree criminal use of a firearm.

The Sept. 27 heist temporarily locked down Great Neck North High School, school officials confirmed.

Police said the Young entered the Chase Bank at 675 Middle Neck Rd. at 9:30 a.m. He displayed a handgun and demanded money.

Six employees and one customer were in the bank at the time, but the man took an undisclosed amount of cash and walked out without incident. He was last seen walking southbound on Middle Neck Road.

A month-long criminal investigation ended Tuesday with the arrest of a Great Neck man on drug distribution charges, Nassau County Police said. 

Stephen M. Hanson, 59, was arrested at his Canterbury Road home at 9:20 p.m. after police observed him selling 14 envelopes containing a substance believed to be heroin on Aug. 30.

Hanson was placed into custody Tuesday, and a search of his home turned up 168 glassine bags – possibly containing heroin – along with $7,649 in cash.

Hanson is charged with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal sale of a controlled substance. He will be arraigned Wednesday at First District Court in Hempstead.