Great Neck man arrested for alleged robbery behind store

Joe Nikic

A Great Neck man was arrested last Friday evening for allegedly striking another man in the head with a belt then taking his cell phone, Nassau County police said.

Police said Rony Fernando Inestroza, 26, of Forest Row, approached the 43-year-old male victim at 8:15 p.m. in the rear of a store at 647 Middle Neck Road.

Inestroza, police said, then punched the victim in his stomach before taking off his belt.

Police said the suspect then struck the victim in the head with his belt buckle, leading him to fall to the ground and causing a laceration to his head.

During the fall, police said, the victim’s cell phone fell out of pocket.

Inestroza then grabbed the phone and ran off, police said.

Police said the victim, whose name was not released, refused medical attention, but helped investigating detectives by telling them he knew Inestroza from the area and potentially knew where he lived.

Detectives were able to locate the defendant and arrested him at his home.

Police said Inestroza is charged with one count of first-degree robbery and was additionally charged with second-degree menacing for an unrelated incident that occurred on Jan. 13 in Great Neck.

Inestroza was arraigned last Friday and is due back in court on Tuesday.

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