Cops: Teen in failed 7-Eleven holdup charged in 4 robberies

One of the two teens arrested on charges of trying to rob a Westbury 7-Eleven at gunpoint — and striking the clerk in the head with the gun when he didn’t immediately turn over the cash — was also charged with five other robberies or attempted robberies this month, police said Wednesday.

Police arrested Jahmani Harleston, 19, of Bradely Street in Brentwood and D’ Andre Dogostiano, 18, of South Forest Avenue in Rockville Centre, on Tuesday on charges they tried to rob the 7-Eleven at 760 Old Country Rd. at 3:02 a.m. Tuesday, police said.

Harleston, who police believe committed a string of armed robberies, went into the 7-Eleven wearing a ski mask and white gloves, and armed with a handgun, along with Dogostiano, and demanded money, police said.

“The defendant Harleston then struck the victim in the head with his handgun,” according to a criminal complaint. “The victim fell to the floor and the defendants struggled with him, eventually giving up and leaving the store without any proceeds.”

The 58-year-old male clerk was treated at a hospital for minor injuries, police said.

About a half-hour later, an off-duty Nassau police detective, who was on his way to the airport to go on vacation, spotted the pair putting on ski masks as they walked toward the Fast Break Deli on Merrick Avenue in North Merrick and called 911, said Det. Lt. George Darienzo, commanding officer of the Robbery Squad.

Darienzo said investigators believe the pair was going to rob the deli, which Harleston is charged with trying to rob last week.

Officers swarmed the area, conducted an “extensive canvas” and found Harleston and Dogostiano “slumped inside” a 2010 Dodge Journey belonging to Harleston’s mother, Darienzo said. The two were arrested without incident, police said.

Darienzo said the motive for the heists is unclear, other than wanting money.

Harleston, according to police, was involved in five other robberies or attempted robberies: the robbery of Green Gas Station on Hempstead Avenue in Hempstead on Feb. 4; the attempted robbery of Fast Break Deli on Merrick Avenue in North Merrick on Feb. 6; the robbery of a 7-Eleven on Merrick Road in Rockville Centre on Feb. 6; the robbery of a Sunoco Gas Station on Hempstead Turnpike on Feb. 6; and the robbery a 7-Eleven on Oak Street in Uniondale on Monday.

Police would not say how much money was stolen.

Harleston was charged with four counts of first-degree robbery; two counts of first-degree attempted robbery; second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree criminal use of a firearm.

Dogostiano was charged with first and second-degree attempted robbery.

Police said the suspects had no previous criminal records.

Harleston was ordered held on a $300,000 bond or $240,000 cash bail at his arraignment Wednesday in First District Court in Hempstead. Dogastiano was ordered held on a $250,000 bond or $150,000 cash bail.

Attorneys for both could not be reached for comment.

Acting Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said the off-duty detective, who police declined to name because he works undercover, did an “outstanding job” by calling 911 when he spotted the pair.

“He was able to still get on his plane to go on vacation,” said Ryder. “So when he gets back I’ll make sure we send flowers to the house.”

One of the two men arrested on charges of trying to rob a Westbury store at gunpoint Tuesday was also charged with five other robberies or attempted robberies this month, police said.

Jahmani Harleston, 19, of Brentwood, and D’Andre Dogostiano, 18, of Rockville Centre, were arrested Tuesday and charged with trying to rob a 7-Eleven at 760 Old Country Rd. earlier in the day, Nassau County police said.

Harleston was also charged with four other robberies and one attempted robbery, police said.

Police said they were: the robbery of Green Gas Station on Hempstead Avenue in Hempstead on Feb. 4; the attempted robbery of Fast Break Deli on Merrick Avenue in North Merrick on Feb. 6; the robbery of a 7-Eleven on Merrick Road in Rockville Centre on Feb. 6; the robbery of a Sunoco Gas Station on Hempstead Turnpike on Feb. 6; and the robbery a 7-Eleven on Oak Street in Uniondale on Feb. 12.

Police did not say what led them to arrest the two men for the Westbury attempted robbery, nor what led them to charge Harleston with the other crimes.

In Westbury, one of the two men demanded money and hit the 58-year-old clerk in the head with a handgun, police said.

The pair fled without getting any money, police said, and the clerk was treated at the scene.

Both men were awaiting arraignment Wednesday in First District Court in Hempstead, police said.