LONG ISLAND CRIME BRIEFS

EAST ROCKAWAY/Nassau police examining cabin cruiser that capsized

With the cabin cruiser that capsized on July 4 out of the water and in the hands of Nassau police, investigators are examining the 34-foot boat for clues as to what led to the tragedy that ended with three children dead.

The Kandi Won, raised Wednesday by Nassau police and the FBI, was trucked overnight to the marine bureau in East Rockaway. There, investigators began checking it for structural damage or mechanical failures that might have contributed to the capsizing.

They will also try to determine the number of life jackets aboard and whether the boat carried too many people to be safe.

-- MATTHEW CHAYES

LEVITTOWN/Man arrested in his home on Nevada fugitive warrant

A Levittown man has been arrested at his home on a Nevada fugitive warrant and was held for extradition to face charges of robbery, assault, extortion and other crimes, Nassau County police said.

Detectives with the county Fugitive Squad arrested William L. Congero, 49, of Wadsworth Avenue, without incident at noon Wednesday. While he awaits extradition, he will be held at the Nassau County jail, police said.

Congero is wanted by Nevada authorities on charges that include conspiracy to commit robbery, home invasion and burglary. Nassau police had no details about charges against Congero, and officials with Nevada's Clark County district attorney, based in Las Vegas, did not respond to requests for comment yesterday.

The Nassau County Fugitive Squad assisted the New York / New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force in the arrest.

-- Joseph Mallia

EAST MASSAPEQUA/Cops: Arrested man tried to kidnap ex-girlfriend

A Queens man was arrested after he attacked his former girlfriend last month inside a store where she worked at the Sunrise Mall and attempted to kidnap her -- only to be stopped outside by an armored-car guard, police said.

Franklyn Brown, 24, of 215-32 106th Ave. in Queens Village, who fled the scene after the June 21 incident, was arrested at 8:25 p.m. Wednesday and charged with second-degree robbery, second-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal contempt, criminal obstruction of breathing and third-degree assault.

Brown is charged with contempt because the victim had an order of protection against him, Nassau police said.

Police did not name the store in the East Massapequa mall where the victim worked to protect her identity and said only she is 23. She suffered injuries to her neck, eye, foot and face in the attack, police said.

The incident occurred shortly after 10 a.m. June 21 when Brown walked into the store where the woman worked, punched, kicked and choked the woman, and dragged her into the parking lot, where he continued to choke the woman -- threatening to kill her.

A Brinks Armored Car driver broke up the attack, police said, but Brown took the victim's cellphone and fled.

He was arrested later with the assistance of the Bureau of Special Operations and the Electronics Squad, police said.

He was to be arraigned yesterday in First District Court in Hempstead.

-- JOHN VALENTI