Pair arrested in West Hempstead for stealing tools

Detectives with the Fifth Squad arrested two men who stole landscaping tools from a truck parked in a lot located at 330 Hempstead Ave. in West Hempstead.

According to police, Leo Williams, 53, of Uniondale, and 45-year-old Robbie Thomas, of Roosevelt, stole landscaping equipment from the victim’s trucks on Friday, Oct. 14, at 6:30 p.m. Upon calling police then next day, the victim remembered that he had been approached several weeks earlier by Williams, who asked if he was interested in purchasing landscaping equipment from Thomas.

     
  Leo Thomas                Robbie Williams

After discovering that the items were stolen and notifying the police, the victim called the two men and arranged to meet them to buy some landscaping equipment. They met and he bought back three of his leaf blowers for an undisclosed amount of cash. After this, the victim worked with police to arrange a second meeting with the pair near the intersection of Hill Street and Brookside Avenue where they were arrested by detectives. Thomas was found to be in possession of additional stolen landscaping equipment that belonged to the victim and was valued about about $4,000.

Thomas and Williams were each charged with 4th-degree criminal possession of stolen property. Thomas was also charged with 3rd-degree stolen property and 1st-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. Both men were arraigned on Oct. 17 in First District Court in Hempstead.