Hempstead robbers punched victim in face, police say

Police said two robbers approached a man on a street in Hempstead Friday evening, punched him in the face, knocked him down, robbed him of cash and a phone - then fled in a getaway car driven by a third man.

All three have been arrested - and are facing arraignment Monday in First District Court in Hempstead, police said.

Nassau County police said John Cabreja, 21, of Southern Parkway in Uniondale, and Francisco Sanchez, 18, of Belmont Parkway in Hempstead, assaulted and robbed the 27-year-old victim Friday at 7:15 p.m. on Florence Avenue.

Police said Pedro Serrano, 21, of Park Avenue, Uniondale, drove the getaway car.

All three were arrested Sunday, police said, and charged with two counts of second-degree robbery.

The victim suffered what police termed "a facial injury," but declined medical attention.