Crime and courts briefs

NASSAU

Man admits guilt in armed robberies

A Roslyn Heights man has admitted to his role in a string of 2012 armed robberies of electronics stores in New York and New Jersey -- including four in Nassau County, federal authorities said.

Leonard Arrington, 27, pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. District Court Judge Joel A. Pisano in federal court in Trenton, N.J., to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robberies and one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, officials said.

Federal officials said sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 22.

Four of the seven robberies Arrington admitted to took place in Nassau, officials said.

All seven robberies involved the electronics and communications stores Radio Shack or T-Mobile, authorities said.

The Hobbs Act was enacted in 1946 "as a statute to combat racketeering in labor-management disputes." The act prohibits "actual or attempted robbery or extortion" affecting interstate or foreign commerce -- in this case, cellphones.ELMONT

Police: Man impersonated officer

A Queens man who police said impersonated a police officer to write bad checks for purchases at Long Island jewelry stores was arrested Wednesday in Elmont after a monthlong investigation.

Brian Harrington, 31, of 7222 67th St., Glendale, was arrested by Nassau County police Bureau of Special Operations officers near the intersection of Healy Street and Oakley Avenue. He was charged with second-degree weapons possession, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal impersonation of a police officer, and two counts of issuing a bad check. Harrington faced arraignment yesterday in First District Court in Hempstead.

Police said that at about 1 p.m. Aug. 15, Harrington entered Rafael's Jewelry store on Peninsula Boulevard in Hewlett and told the owner he was a police officer. Police said Harrington then "showed the victim a badge" and requested to see a gold chain worth $2,965.45. Harrington told the owner he had lost his debit card and wanted to pay by check, police said. Harrington then showed the owner his gun holster -- to "prove he was a police officer" and bought the chain using a check on a closed bank account, police said.

HOLTSVILLE

Woman hurt in 6-vehicle accident

One woman was hospitalized with minor injuries after a six-vehicle accident late Wednesday night, police said, near the intersection of the eastbound Long Island Expressway service road and Nicolls Road in Holtsville.

Suffolk County police said no one was charged in the accident, but said detectives are searching for a male motorcyclist who was involved -- and who fled the scene on foot.

Police said the crash occurred on northbound Nicolls at 9:58 p.m. The cause is under investigation.

One woman, whose identity was not released, was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital with what police described as "minor injuries."