Plaza robbery suspect arrested with cocaine, Xanax

Joe Nikic

A Westbury man was arrested Tuesday and charged with robbery and assault after allegedly slicing his victim’s hands during an assault Monday evening in Great Neck Plaza, Nassau County Police said.

Kyle Howell, 22, of Circle Drive, allegedly entered the back passenger door of a 2004 Mazda Sedan and robbed a 20-year-old male victim and a 19-year-old female victim at about 7:45 p.m. on Pont Street, Detective Lt. Richard LeBrun said at a press briefing Tuesday.

Howell faces one charge of first-degree robbery, one charge of second-degree robbery, one charge of first-degree attempted robbery, two counts of second-degree assault, one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

LeBrun said Howell was a familiar face to the police department.

Nassau County Police Officer Vincent LoGiudice was acquitted of felony assault charges in December after Howell charged the officer with beating him during a traffic stop in April 2014.

As he was being walked into Nassau County Police Headquarters in Mineola on Tuesday, one reporter said, Howell said “I’m being framed.”

LeBrun denied the allegation, citing the victims’ positive identification of the defendant to police officers.

“He does have a rather extensive history with the police department,” LeBrun said. “With regard to anyone insinuating that the police department is framing him, it is completely absurd.”

LeBrun said Howell entered the parked vehicle Monday evening and placed a “silver knife” to the throat of the male victim while demanding money from both victims.

After the male victim attempted to push Howell away, he said, the defendant cut him on both hands.

The female victim then complied and handed over an undisclosed amount of cash, LeBrun said.

Before leaving the scene, he said, Howell stabbed both seats of the car.

LeBrun said the two victims knew the defendant and were “acquaintances.”

The police department’s Bureau of Special Operations police officers, LeBrun said, saw Howell in the back of a black 2015 Honda Sedan Tuesday.

He also said the driver of the vehicle, Jamiel Hendricks, 31, of Manhasset, and the female passenger, Nancy Peterson, 26, of Flower Hill, were found in possession of Xanax.

Additionally, he said, Howell was found with both Xanax and cocaine.

Hendricks and Peterson are being charged with one count of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, LeBrun said.

He also said the investigation of the incident is ongoing.

All three defendants were scheduled to be arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Tuesday.

Share this Article