LI CRIME BRIEFS

SUFFOLK COUNTY/Wyandanch man charged in string of robberies on taxi drivers

A Wyandanch man took cash and other property from taxi drivers in a string of robberies from February to August, Suffolk prosecutors said Wednesday.

Marcel Cobb, 31, pleaded not guilty in Suffolk County Court to a six-count indictment charging that he hurt a cabbie during an Aug. 25 robbery in Deer Park and brandished a firearm during an Aug. 7 robbery.

Cobb was ordered held on $500,000 bond or $250,000 cash bail. He is due back in court Sept. 22.

Cobb was arrested Aug. 25 after police said he hailed a cab at the Deer Park Long Island Rail Road station, then took cash, a cell phone and car keys from the cabbie on West 23rd Street in Deer Park.

He is suspected of robbing eight cabdrivers in incidents dating to Feb. 19, Suffolk police said.

Cobb pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary in 2007 and was sentenced to 2 to 4 years in prison, Assistant District Attorney Caren Manzello said in court.

His attorney, Ed Vitale of Riverhead, said Cobb was released from prison in December.

- CARL MACGOWAN

REGION/7 medical providers charged with fraud in alleged insurance scam

Seven medical providers - including three from Long Island - and a clinic receptionist have been arrested and charged with fraud after officials say they billed insurance companies out of tens of thousands of dollars for services never provided to patients.

State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office announced the arrests Wednesday of two doctors, two chiropractors, three acupuncturists, and a clinic receptionist.

Those arrested are accused of recruiting auto-accident patients to "The Merrick Boulevard Clinic" at 115-13A Merrick Blvd. in Queens, and directing them to visit the clinic several times a week to undergo unnecessary treatments.

The scheme also included "runners" who allegedly were paid to solicit patients to the clinic, authorities said. Officials also said the medical providers submitted fraudulent bills to insurance companies.

Authorities arrested Ernst Ducena, 53, and Emmanuel Gelin, 50, both of Baldwin and Andrew Lopedote, 35, of Hicksville as well as five others from across New York. Calls to the Long Islanders arrested were not immediately returned.

The group faces charges that include first degree scheme to defraud, third degree insurance fraud, and falsifying business records in the first degree.

- Yamiche Alcindor