Cops: He robbed cabbie, then menaced woman

One of seven men suspected in the Tuesday assault and robbery of a cabdriver in New Cassel has been arrested, Nassau County police said.

Jonathan Grier, 33, of 822 Prospect Ave., New Cassel, faces charges of robbery, assault, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon and forcible touching and menacing, police said.

Police said a cabdriver, 34, dropped off a fare near Prospect Avenue and Magnolia Street at about 11 p.m. when he was approached by a group of suspects.

One man threatened the cabbie with a knife as another reached into the cab to take an unknown amount of cash. A third suspect took money from the victim's pocket, police said.

One of the attackers also lifted a shirt and showed the cabbie a handgun, according to a police report.

The cabdriver eventually drove away uninjured, police said.

As police were investigating the assault on the cabdriver, they received an emergency call reporting a man menacing a woman at the same location of the robbery.

When police responded to the menacing call, they "determined the defendant was involved in both the robbery and disturbance," the report said.

Grier was arrested and police found he had a handgun and narcotics.

Grier also had "open arrest warrants" for a sex offense in 2009, weapon possession in 2010 and a separate case for stabbing a girlfriend in 2010, according to Det. Lt. Raymond Coté, commanding officer of the Third Squad.

The six other suspects still are being sought, police said.

Grier is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in First District Court in Hempstead.