Cops: Three teens charged after Hempstead robbery spree

Three teenagers were arraigned Tuesday after being chased down and arrested following a night of robberies and attempted robberies in Hempstead, Nassau police said.

Robert Brown, 16, Isaiah Byner, 17, and Floyd K. McNeil, 17, wore masks and showed handguns when they entered the Yoilgi Unisex Salon about 8:15 p.m. Monday to demand cash, Nassau police said.

They ran away with money and a handbag, then showed up about an hour later on Main Street, where they tried to steal cash from a 62-year-old man using an ATM, police said.

They threatened him with a gun and knife, police said, but when a passerby approached, the three ran off.

Hempstead Village officers heard the suspects' description and found Byner near Kellum Place and Main Street, Nassau police said. He was arrested without incident, police said, and a knife was recovered.

Shortly after 10 p.m., Brown and McNeil went on to threaten a Chinese food deliveryman, 19, on Covert Street and steal his cash at gunpoint, police said.

After calling 911, the deliveryman followed the robbers but stopped after a bullet was fired at him, police said. The sound of a gun going off activated the ShotSpotter, which helps police locate the source of the gunshot.

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A Nassau detective found Brown and after a brief struggle, the suspect was arrested and a loaded .380-caliber handgun was recovered, police said.

McNeil was arrested after a brief foot chase by Nassau and Hempstead Village detectives, authorities said.

Brown, of 43 Barry Dr., Westbury, was charged with three counts of first-degree robbery, three counts of first-degree attempted robbery, second-degree criminal use of a firearm and third degree criminal possession of a firearm. He was held pending a $10,000 bail.

Byner, of 124 Remsen Ave., Hempstead, was charged with three counts of first-degree attempted robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. He was also held on a $10,000 bail.

McNeil, of 100 Terrace Ave., Hempstead, was held on a $25,000 bail after arraignment on three counts of first-degree robbery, three counts of first-degree attempted robbery, second-degree criminal use of a firearm and third-degree criminal possession of a firearm.