Two accused in string of Nassau robberies

Nassau County police arrested two men Thursday accused of committing a string of robberies between Dec. 4 and Jan. 4.

Maurice Gardner, 18, of Hempstead, and Sherrod D. Blanding, 19, of Uniondale, were arrested at about 11 a.m. at Gardner's residence after a joint investigation that also included Third Squad detectives and the Hempstead Police Department, according to the Nassau robbery squad.

Police said a handgun and some of the items from the robberies were recovered.

Gardner was charged with two counts of robbery, possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance and possession of stolen property.

Blanding was charged with three counts of robbery, criminal use of a firearm and possession of a weapon.

The two were scheduled to be arraigned Friday in First District Court in Hempstead.