Jonathan Vazquez allegedly attempted to murder one man, robbed a woman at gunpoint, and shot at two Nassau County Police Officers during three-week crime spree
MINEOLA, N.Y. – District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Bay Shore man was arraigned on multiple grand jury indictment charges for a three-week crime spree, which culminated in the attempted murder of two members of the Nassau County Police Department’s Bureau of Special Operations in Uniondale.
Jonathan Vazquez, 20, was arraigned today before Judge Tammy Robbins on charges of two counts of Attempted Murder in the First Degree (an A-I felony), Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (a B violent felony), Assault in the First Degree (a B violent felony), Robbery in the First Degree (a B violent felony), two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C violent felony), two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (a D violent felony) and Assault in the Second Degree (a D violent felony). The defendant pleaded not guilty, is due back in court April 25 and faces a potential maximum of 160 years to life in prison.
“This defendant’s alleged three-week crime spree only came to an end after a harrowing police pursuit through Uniondale. During the pursuit Jonathan Vazquez is alleged to have pointed his gun at officers and fired multiple rounds,” said DA Donnelly. “This charged violent behavior threatened the lives of residents and officers, and we are fortunate that no one was killed. Our office will hold this individual accountable for these alleged crimes and his utter disregard for the law.”
DA Donnelly said that on February 8, at approximately 8:29 P.M., the defendant and an un-apprehended male allegedly fired approximately 17 rounds at a victim outside an apartment complex on Martin Luther King Drive in Hempstead. The victim was struck in the upper thigh and taken to a local hospital.
On February 16, at approximately 6:30 P.M., Vazquez allegedly approached a woman on Ridge Lane in Levittown and pointed a gun at the woman’s face. The defendant demanded money and her pocketbook. Vazquez then allegedly fled in a black Dodge Charger.
On February 28, shortly before midnight, two members of the NCPD’s Bureau of Special Operations were on patrol in Uniondale when they observed a black Dodge Charger similar to the one involved in the February 16 robbery. The vehicle, which did not have a front license plate and had tinted windows, was determined to be stolen and the police officers activated their vehicle’s lights and sirens. The defendant allegedly sped off and crashed into three cars before coming to a stop on Nassau Road. Vazquez then allegedly fired two rounds from the driver’s seat of the Charger and struck the hood of the responding police vehicle. The officers returned fire.
As police backup arrived, the defendant allegedly ignored commands to stop and drove off until his vehicle came to a stop at Arthur Street. Vazquez allegedly exited the vehicle and turned towards the officer and again pointed his gun and pulled the trigger. The defendant allegedly again ignored all police commands and ran into a backyard.
The defendant was subsequently arrested – after a lengthy foot chase through backyards and over fences – on Van Buren Street with a gun. A police officer was injured during the chase.
Senior Litigation Counsel Nicole Aloise of the Homicide Bureau and Senior Assistant District Attorney Charles Dunn of the Narcotics, Firearms and Gang Bureau are prosecuting the case. Fred Pollack, Esq. represents the defendant.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
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