By:Jason Scheer
In a span of 20 days, eight victims have been robbed while walking alone at night. Sgt. Anthony Repalone, spokesman for the police department, said that attacks have occurred in Baldwin, Rockville Centre, East Meadow, Roosevelt, Garden City and Uniondale. The attackers have struck twice in Baldwin and Uniondale.
The latest attack happened in Roosevelt last Thursday at around 8 p.m. A deliveryman for Papa John's Pizza in Freeport was called to deliver pizza to 82 Manhattan Ave. Two girls, who Repalone said were between 15 and 20, stood in front of the building and accepted the delivery. After the 24-year-old deliveryman gave the girls the pizza, two men, each about 25, emerged from the side of the building and began punching the deliveryman and hitting him with a bat.
The incident closely resembled seven previous robberies, three of which occurred on Jan. 18 in Baldwin, Garden City and East Meadow. All three victims, whose names were not released by police, gave similar accounts of the incidents. Three to four masked men got out of a dark-colored, four-door car and demanded money. Though none of the victims put up a fight, they were each struck with a bat.
On Jan. 19, a second Baldwin resident fell victim to an attack. According to police, a 40-year-old man was walking along Coes Neck Road when he was attacked by two men, one wielding a bat. They demanded cash, and when the victim put up a struggle, a third man came out of a dark-colored SUV and helped knock the victim down.
"We believe all of these incidents are related," said Repalone. What makes the robberies so appalling, Repalone said, is the fact that the robbers are brandishing weapons even after victims comply with demands.
Police said they don't yet have much information, but are pursuing leads on three vehicles.
Until the perpetrators are caught, Repalone said, people need to be more aware of their own safety. He said that if you must be outside late at night, walk with a companion. Delivery people should call customers and ask them to flick a light on and off to indicate that they are inside.
Furthermore, "If you have a gut instinct that something [bad] is going to happen, leave immediately," Repalone said.
Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to call Nassau Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-8477.
Comments about this story? JScheer@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 282.
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Timeline of incidents involving bat-related robberies
January 1
9:00 p.m.
A pedestrian is attacked by four males on Jerusalem Avenue in Uniondale. The victim is repeatedly struck with a bat and his cell phone and money is taken.
January 7
8:05 p.m.
A Chinese food delivery person is attacked by four males while attempting to make a delivery in Uniondale. A bat was used in the incident.
January 11
8:25 p.m.
A Chinese food delivery person is attacked while attempting to deliver food to 19 Addison Place in Rockville Centre. The victim is struck with bats by four males who take the food and his wallet.
January 18
7:43 p.m.
A third Chinese food delivery person is attacked while delivering food to a residence on Chestnut Street in East Meadow. He is struck repeatedly on the arm with a baseball bat and is forced to turn over his food and car keys.
9:25 p.m.
A pedestrian on Osbourne Road and Wetherill Road in Garden City is approached by four men. However, no bat was used and no money was taken. This was categorized by police as an attempted robbery.
10:15
A pedestrian on Milburn Avenue in Baldwin is attacked by three men while a fourth waits in a vehicle. The men repeatedly strike the victim about the head and body with baseball bats and steal money.
January 19
10:25
A pedestrian on Coes Neck Road in Baldwin is attacked by three men. Ultimately, a fourth male emerges from a vehicle and pins the victim down. The victim, however, is able to flee on foot and no money is taken.
11/20
8:00 p.m.
A deliveryman for Papa John's Pizza in Freeport was called to deliver pizza to 82 Manhattan Avenue in Roosevelt. Two girls stood in front of the building and accepted the delivery. After the deliveryman gave the girls the pizza, two men emerged from the side of the building and began punching the deliveryman and hitting him with a bat. They stole money and food from the victim.
Statistics were supplied by the Nassau County Police Department, Office of Public Information.
