2 men accused in Bellmore Rite Aid robbery

Two Brooklyn men are to be arraigned Saturday on robbery charges in Hempstead for allegedly stealing nearly $1,000 worth of batteries from a Bellmore drugstore Friday.

Nassau County police were called to a Rite Aid store at 2410 Merrick Rd. about 10:25 a.m. about an alleged robbery. Police said the responding officer saw the suspects fleeing from the store in the green 2001 Kia.

Police said as the officer attempted to stop the car, the driver evaded him, driving erratically in the process, passing stop signs and sideswiping a car.

The driver being chased by police lost control, struck another car that was stopped at a light in the westbound right lane of Merrick Road, police said. The passenger in the car, who police identified as Boris Jairala, 32, of 438 Ocean Pkwy., Brooklyn, got out of the car and ran, according to police, who caught him and placed him under arrest.

The driver of the car was identified by police as Edward Danzinger, 47, of 2652 Cropsey Ave., Brooklyn. Police said Danzinger resisted arrested when he was placed into custody at the accident scene.

Police said the suspects took $975 worth of Duracell batteries from the Rite Aid. When an employee saw them do it and stated she was calling police, the suspects allegedly pushed their way past the employee and got into the car, starting the chase. Police said no injuries were reported.

Both suspects are charged with second-degree robbery, and Danzinger faces additional charges of second-degree reckless endangerment and resisting arrest. They are to be arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead.