Long Island Homeowners Approached by Robbers in Driveways: Police

Police on Long Island say they’re investigating after a pair of homeowners said they were accosted by armed robbers in their own driveways.

Nassau County police say the robberies, about 15 minutes apart in South Hempstead and West Hempstead Wednesday nigh, appear related. Authorities are looking into whether they may be part of a larger pattern.

Police say that the homeowner in West Hempstead was approached by robbers as he got out of his car on Nightingale Road at about 9:30 p.m. The suspects showed a handgun and told him to hand over his property. They ran away before taking anything when his pregnant wife pulled into the driveway.

Police say the second homeowner was robbed about 15 minutes later, also by three men with a handgun. The robbers showed the gun as he got out of his car on Maple Drive and took the victim’s wallet and cellphone.

No one was injured in either robbery. Neighbors were shaken up.

"It's nerve-wracking to hear about that right next door and it wasn't that late at night," said Kathy Jansen, who lives nearby. "We gotta take precautions and watch when we get out of the car. You have to be careful."

"I'm always looking over my shoulder, which I think everybody should," added neighbor Butch Flobeck.

Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. 

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