Police: Man robbed two women within 20 minutes in Uniondale

Police have arrested a Hempstead man they said robbed two women in two separate incidents 20 minutes apart Sunday afternoon in Uniondale.

Edwin Reyes-Colindres, 23, of 23 Taylor Ave., Hempstead, is under arrest, charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, police said. He was scheduled for arraignment Tuesday in First District Court in Hempstead, police said.

Nassau County police said the robberies took place between 4:30 p.m. and 4:50 p.m. at two locations in Uniondale - each woman robbed as she walked along the street.

The first incident occurred on Uniondale Avenue, where police said Reyes-Colindres pretended he had a handgun and robbed a 30-year-old woman of cash and a cell phone. Police said Reyes-Colindres then robbed a 26-year-old woman about 20 minutes later on Jerusalem Avenue.

But a passerby saw the second robbery and notified police - and Reyes-Colindres was arrested a short time later behind Hempstead Middle School on Greenwich Street in Hempstead, police said.

The robbery proceeds were recovered at the scene. police said.