Hewlett teen accused of stealing items from vehicles

Police officers responding to a 911 call reporting a suspicious male looking into parked cars in Hewlett arrested a 16-year-old hiding in nearby bushes -- and charged him with stealing items and with drug possession.

Joshua Mackay-Smith, of 309 Hewlett Pkwy., Hewlett, was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, three counts of petty larceny and with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance after his arrest by Nassau County police Fourth Precinct officers on Hewlett Parkway just after 6 a.m. Tuesday. Mackay-Smith was scheduled for arraignment Wednesday in First District Court in Hempstead.

Police said the officers were responding to a 911 call about a suspicious male, described as wearing dark clothing with a hooded sweatshirt and carrying a backpack, on Webster Street when they found Mackay-Smith hiding in bushes.

Police said the teen had two "large backpacks" and said a further investigation recovered items stolen from nearby autos. The suspect also was in possession of 60 "blue pills" believed to be Xanax, police said.