An Elmont man was arrested Wednesday for his alleged involvement in a string of armed robberies that took place in Manhasset, Great Neck and the suspect’s hometown within the last 10 days, police said.
Joshua B. Prince, 21, was arrested on first-degree robbery and gun charges shortly after police said he and two others robbed four men of their cell phones and wallets in Elmont.
According to police, Prince and two others approached the four men and demanded their cell phones at gunpoint.
Prince’s alleged accomplices, Nakwan Hailey, also 21, and Dillan Malebranche, 20, were later arrested and charged with robbery after a 4th Precinct patrol officer pulled over the Acura they were riding in for speeding, police said.
Prince and Hailey were also brought up on first-degree gun and robbery charges for their alleged involvement in similar incidents in Great Neck and Manhasset within the last week.
On Aug. 4, a 36-year-old man was robbed of his cell phone on Plandome Road in Manhasset after he was approached at gunpoint by two men described as black.
On July 30, three teenagers were robbed of their cell phones on Webster Avenue in Manhasset after they were approached at gunpoint by three men described as black.
On July 29, a 22-year-old man was robbed of his wallet, cell phone and a bag of clothing he was carrying on Clair Street in Great Neck after he was approached at gunpoint by three men described as black.
A police spokeswoman told Blank Slate Media that detectives investigating the July 29 and 30 robberies believed they were linked.
Prince, Hailey and Malebranche were arraigned Thursday at 1st District Court in Hempstead.
Reach reporter Bill San Antonio by e-mail at bsanantonio@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516.307.1045 x215 and on Twitter @ bill_sanantonio. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
