By Jerry Burke
Police say Fioranelli, a 21-year-old resident of Flushing, knew homeowner and music promoter Freddy Antal professionally. "Fioranelli had a conversation with Domomique C. McClain (one of the two arrested for the holdup) in January about robbing Antal's home," said Det. Lt. Kevin Smith of the County Police Public Information Office.
Police say Fioranelli furnished McClain and his partner Derek Cason with a description of the home as well as directions. In exchange, say police, McClain had agreed to pay an undisclosed sum of money.
Fioranelli was arraigned last Tuesday in First District Court in Hempstead on charges of fourth-degree conspiracy and fourth-degree criminal facilitation. He posted $1,000 bail and was released. He was arrested Monday night at the Fifth Precinct headquarters in Elmont after police had questioned him about his involvement in the crime. Det. Lt. Smith did not comment on the exact nature of Fioranelli's relationship with Antal.
According to police, Antal, who had recently returned with his wife from their honeymoon, heard something outside his home at 1064 Ferngate Drive around 6:35 a.m. As he went outside to investigate, Antal was confronted by two armed men who forced him back inside. There, the two suspects stole cash, a cell phone and some jewelry.
Fortunately, a neighbor saw what had happened and called police, who initially responded with one patrol car stationed in front of the house and another in the rear.
According to police, the two exited the house from the back, with McClain holding a gun to Antal's head while restraining him in headlock. While McClain moved toward the back fence with Cason following, the police officer behind the house radioed that there was a hostage situation and ordered the two to freeze.
After McClain heard the officer, he pushed his hostage to the ground and opened fire on the police officer. The officer returned fire, hitting McClain in the right thigh. Another shot hit Cason in the lower abdomen.
Despite his injury, McClain managed to jump the fence and flee on foot during an exchange of gunfire.
Cason, 21, of Virginia Beach, Va., was rushed to Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre. He was treated and released into police custody a few hours later. He is currently being charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, first-degree criminal use of a firearm and second-degree kidnapping.
Police later learned that McClain, 22, of Norfolk, Va., managed to hail a cab on Dutch Broadway in Elmont and proceeded to his father's church in Queens. Police say that he told his father he had been robbed and shot. He was treated and released from Jamaica Hospital that Saturday. Nassau police caught up with him later that afternoon.
He is currently being charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, second-degree kidnapping, second-degree robbery and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property.
