Regional Briefs – November 25, 2018

Deli Owner Pulls Out Machete, Chases Away Robber

HUNTINGTON STATION, N.Y. – A deli owner whipped out a machete and chased away an armed robber who has later arrested for holdups of five businesses in the past two months, Newsday reported. Ana Guevara says she now realizes she could have been killed in the confrontation with Carlos Garcia, 35.

Man Killed on Highway After Stopping to Check Damage

MELVILLE, N.Y. – A man driving home from a family wedding was fatally struck by a car early Saturday while stopped in the middle of the Long Island Expressway after he rear-ended another car, The Associated Press reported. The wife and young son of Eric Preto, 31, were unhurt.

Paratrooper Gear of D-Day Vet Found in France

BUFFALO – A World War II memorabilia collector in France found paratrooper gear carried by a D-Day veteran from Buffalo who was slain in 1978 in a still-unsolved murder, WIVB reported. Jim Hewson’s belt and suspenders bearing his registration number were discovered.

Man Attacks Police Robot With Crowbar

HOPATCONG, N.J. – An armed man was arrested after striking a police robot with a pry bar during a seven-hour standoff, the New Jersey Herald reported. Police responded to a 911 call about Robert Collins. When they sent a mechanical robot to make contact with him, he struck it with the pry bar.

Man Gets 4-year Sentence For Robbing Phone Stores

CAMDEN, N.J. – A man was sentenced to four years for a robbery spree that targeted Metro PCS phone stores in 2016, The Associated Press reported. Zeldrick Nance brandished a gun and duct-taped store employees before stealing cell phones, money and a car.

Cop Gets Prison for Striking Suspect With Flashlight

NEWARK – A former cop who beat a man with a flashlight during an arrest was sentenced to 42 months in prison, NJ.com reported. Domenico Lillo, 48, had arrested Brandon Walsh for failing to appear in court. Video footage captured him striking Walsh with the flashlight as he was taken into custody.