LI CRIME BRIEFS

NORTH MERRICK/Cops stop car, charge 4 men with breaking into vehicles

Four men have been arrested for breaking into cars in North Merrick, Nassau police said.

Police said a witness saw the men breaking into a car on Clinton Avenue in North Merrick about 1:29 a.m. Saturday, then fleeing in a maroon four-door car.

Half an hour later, police received another call about criminal mischief on Lincoln Boulevard involving occupants of a red four-door car.

Nassau police stopped the car at Hewlett Avenue and Lawry Lane. The taillights of the car had been blacked out, and inside the vehicle were backpacks, tools and electronic devices, police said. Officers said they also found car stereos, GPS units, a full toolbox, a FedEx package, sunglasses, and cash in the car after the four were arrested.

Edward Javurek, 19, of Bohemia; Nicholas Montalbano, 18, of East Islip; Richard Robertson, 18, of Sayville; and Brian Carey, 19, of Bayport were each charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, two counts of petty larceny, and five counts of criminal possession of stolen property.

Javurek was also charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle and several vehicle and traffic law violations. Carey was charged with fourth-degree possession of a dangerous weapon for having a switchblade, police said.

All four pleaded not guilty yesterday at their arraignments at First District Court in Hempstead. Javurek was ordered held on cash bail of $13,750, Robertson and Carey were conditionally released to probation officials, and Montalbano was released on his own recognizance. All four are due back in court in Mineola on Wednesday.

FREEPORT/Cabbie drives away from would-be robbers, police say

A taxi driver escaped an attempted robbery in Freeport early yesterday morning, Nassau police said.

The driver had been dispatched to an address on Lafayette Drive about 12:43 a.m. to pick up a fare when, police said, eight men approached his car.

One of the men, described as between 18 and 22 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall and wearing a mask and white pullover jacket with a burgundy stripe, reached toward his waistband as if he had a gun, police said.

The driver then drove away without giving the men any money. There were no injuries.

Police ask anyone with information on this incident to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 800-244-TIPS.