NEARBY: East Meadow, Hicksville Men Charged With Burglary

By Michael Ganci

An East Meadow man was among three who were arrested for burglaries between Sept. 23-30, cops said.

According to police, on Sept. 30, at 12:20 a.m., a burglary occurred at Locust Valley Chemists, and a second incident took place at 1:10 a.m. at Glen Head Pharmacy. In both incidents, the suspects broke the front glass and stole pharmaceuticals, cops said.

Officers responding to the Glen Head burglary saw Casey Arena, 19, of Hicksville, inside the store. He allegedly attempted to flee but was apprehended. Additionally, Steven Rose, 20, of Hicksville and Steven Cross, 21, of East Meadow fled the scene in a white car, police said.

After they were pulled over by police a short time later, Cross allegedly attempted to flee the scene, and almost struck an Old Brookville cop with his car. The vehicle was stopped at the intersection of Shuswamp Road and Dogwood Lane, and both men were arrested.

After an investigation, cops said Arena was connected to three additional burglaries, cops said, including: 

• Harry’s Pharmacy in Hicksville on Sept. 22.
• Duane Reade in North Merrick on Sept. 28.
• Meadow Drugs in East Meadow on Sept. 28.

Arena's been charged with five counts of third-degree burglary, as well as first and second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Rose and Cross has been charged with two counts of third-degree burglary, as well as first and second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Cross was additionally charged with first-degree reckless endangerment. 

Their arraignments are scheduled for Tuesday at First District Court in Hempstead.

This is a breaking news story and Patch will provide more information as it's made available.