LI crime briefs: Stolen tow truck in hit-runs

OCEANSIDE / Stolen tow truck in hit-runs

A Long Beach man faces numerous charges, including grand larceny and assault, for allegedly stealing a tow truck, leaving the scene of accidents and fighting with officers who arrested him, police said.

Nassau police said officers were responding to a car accident at Atlantic Avenue and Lawson Boulevard in Oceanside Thursday when a man told them he was struck by a flatbed truck at Long Beach Road and Daly Boulevard. Police said they then found a flatbed tow truck driven by Richie Medina, 22, of 225 E. Hudson St., Long Beach. Officers discovered a tow truck had been stolen from 550 Long Beach Blvd., and that Medina had been in a second accident and left the scene at Austin Boulevard and California Place in Island Park. A woman told police her car was struck by a tow truck.

Medina was taken to the Fourth Precinct in Hewlett, where police said he assaulted two officers. One officer's knees were injured; another suffered a puncture wound to his hand. The officers were treated at a hospital. Medina was taken to Nassau University Medical Center, police said. It wasn't known what he was being treated for.

Medina was charged with second-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, two counts of second-degree assault, second-degree obstructing governmental administration, unlicensed operator and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident without reporting.

-- Olivia Winslow

SYOSSET / Robbery of motorist under investigation

Nassau police are investigating a report from a driver that he was robbed by two men with guns.

Second Squad detectives said a 43-year-old man told police he was driving about 5:25 p.m. Friday in Syosset when the headlights of a black GMC truck flashed at him. The man said he pulled over at Berry Hill Road and Calvin Avenue and was approached by two men with semiautomatic handguns. Police said the victim handed over his bag containing an unknown amount of cash. The suspects fled north on Berry Hill Road.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS.

-- Olivia Winslow