Cops: Man arrested in Great Neck residential burglary

A 21-year-old man is facing a burglary charge after police said he was arrested early Wednesday by Nassau County police Third Precinct officers who chased him from the scene of an attempted break-in about two hours earlier in Great Neck.

Police said Kevin Avalos-Melendez, of Middle Neck Road, Great Neck, was arrested on Middle Neck Road at 12:57 a.m. and charged with second-degree burglary. He faces arraignment in First District Court in Hempstead on Wednesday.

Officers responding to a 911 call about an attempted break-in at a residence on Beach Road saw Avalos-Melendez at the rear of the building, police said. However, police said, when those officers attempted to speak to Avalos-Melendez, he fled the scene.

Following an investigation, officers located Avalos-Melendez on Middle Neck Road.

Police said Avalos-Melendez had attempted to gain entry to the home by cutting a bedroom window screen.

A 64-year-old resident heard Avalos-Melendez as he attempted to gain entry — and called 911, police said.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”