Cops: Burglars confronted at Valley Stream home

Gunfire erupted Monday night when Fifth Precinct police officers responded to a burglary in progress at a Valley Stream house, Nassau police said.

"When the officers came to the scene, the subjects began to flee and began firing shots at the officers," police spokesman Dep. Insp. Kenneth Lack said at the scene. "The officers were forced to return fire."

He said no police officers were wounded by gunfire, but some were taken to the hospital for psychological trauma.

Lack declined to say whether any suspects were in custody and whether others were wounded. He did not give further details, saying the investigation was ongoing.

The robbery was reported at 9:17 p.m.

More than 15 police cars, a helicopter and a canine unit converged on the Dana Avenue home, Nassau police and witnesses said. There were also ambulances on the street, neighbors said.

Police cordoned off the area and were seen checking a gray Infiniti not far from the home as a helicopter circled the area. Undercover police were also on the scene. Drivers in the area were stopped and checked by police.

Bernardin Fleurima, who lives a few houses down from the scene, said he was watching television when he heard loud noises. "I heard pop, pop, pop, pop," said Fleurima, pastor of a Hempstead church. "I thought it was the television at first.

"When I went out . . . cops were everywhere."

Fleurima said he also saw an ambulance with its lights on rush out of the area.