Man shot in attempted robbery in Hempstead, police say

Nassau County police are seeking information regarding an attempted robbery and shooting in Hempstead Saturday evening.

A 40-year-old man was walking on Baldwin Road near Oak Avenue about 5:45 p.m. when he was approached by a man asking for money, police said. After the pedestrian said he had none, the suspect withdrew a long wooden gun and shot him in the leg before fleeing into a nearby backyard.

The victim, who was taken to a local hospital for treatment, described the suspect as being 25 to 27 years old, weighing 150 pounds and with dreadlocks in his hair.

No further details were available.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

By Vera Chinese

vera.chinese@newsday.com@VeraChinese

Vera Chinese joined Newsday in 2017 after working as an editor for the East End lifestyle publication northforker and a general assignment reporter for the New York Daily News.