By Hector Flores
The robbery occurred at 7:55 a.m. It is the third home invasion in Bellmore-Merrick over the past six months. The first was in Bellmore last May. The second was in North Merrick last June.
The three robberies are part of a disturbing trend of home invasions that has spread countywide this year. The Bellmore robbery, police say, was likely one in a string of home invasions committed by a Nassau County band of thieves.
In the most-recent robbery, police said that a man, armed with a gun, waltzed through the North Bellmore home's unlocked front door. The homeowner ran into the bathroom and called 911. In the bathroom, the homeowner heard a knock on the door. Believing that his wife may have returned home from work, the man opened the door and was hit on the face by the intruder, whom police described as an Hispanic man, about 21 years old and 160 pounds. Police said that a fist fight broke out between the homeowner and robber.
During the fight, the homeowner saw two more intruders,
one in the house and the other on the porch. The robbers ran off, and the loss of property has yet to be determined.
Police said that later that day, at 12:25 p.m., the homeowner was driving to work and spotted a gray Buick, occupied by three Hispanic men. The car pulled beside him, and one of the passengers brandished a handgun and threatened the homeowner.
Detective Sgt. John Giambrone, commanding officer of the Nassau County Robbery Squad, said the North Bellmore break-in is likely not connected to the recent countywide home-invasion spree.
"The time span is different," he said. "The break-ins we're
investigating are between 1 and 4 a.m., and the modus operandi is different [in the other robberies]. The [robbers] confront the individuals while they're asleep. There are usually three to four people, all wearing masks and gloves, and armed. They wake up everyone, bring them to the master bedroom and have one of them stand guard while the others ransack the house."
In all, these robbers have struck eight homes, including houses in: Bellmore, May 4; New Hyde Park, June 10; Massapequa, June 13;
Plainview, Aug. 24; Jericho, Aug. 31; Manhasset, Sept. 20; Levittown, Oct. 9; and Plainview, Oct. 17.
Giambrone said police have arrested one robbery suspect to date: Eugene Elmore, 36, of Brooklyn.
A community reacts
Reinaldo Nunez, president of the North Bellmore Civic Association, said that, with the recent surge in home invasions, residents are on high alert.
"I've received calls from people who have purchased rifles," he said. "People are starting to arm themselves, and it's something that police must be aware of, because there might be some retaliation against these robbers with guns."
The North Bellmore Civic Association is inviting police to attend its Nov. 14 meeting to provide safety tips to civic members and other residents. "We are going to recommend that they hand out fliers and information, so that homeowners can protect themselves against robbers," he said.
Marc Berkowitz, of the North Bellmore Neighborhood Watch Organization, said he will keep his members informed by e-mail. "There are about 100 families that I e-mail, and that doesn't include the number of people who are forwarded my e-mail," Berkowitz said. "We tell our members to be alert. No one should be sitting in front of your house or your neighbor's house. We basically look out for one another."
Berkowitz said that, as of now, the group mainly comprises North Bellmore residents who live near Jacob Gunther and Saw Mill Road elementary schools, but there are a few Bellmore members.
"We are not vigilantes; we are a peaceful group," Berkowitz said. "The last thing we want is to get involved. We help the police by alerting them to any activity we believe to be suspicious, but it is the police who ultimately determine if it's a real threat."
Jacqueline Amhi, of North Bellmore, said that she's become more cautious after the recent robbery. "We are double-locking our doors and being more careful," she said. "Everyone is watching out for each other and keeping an eye out. We just can't keep doors open anymore."
To learn more about the North Bellmore Neighborhood Watch Organization, visit its Web site at www.northbellmoreneighborhoodwatch.org.
Comments about this story? HFlores@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
