West Hempstead, NY - April 5, 2014 - The Fourth Squad reports the arrest of a Queens man for a Robbery which occurred on Friday, April 4, 2014 at 8:45 A.M. in West Hempstead.
According to detectives, Jeffrey Bernard, 36, of 8828 179th Street, Jamaica, while operating his taxi cab on Hempstead Gardens Drive was in an accident with another vehicle being driven by a male victim, 18 years of age. Bernard left the scene of the accident traveling south on Hempstead Gardens Drive before pulling over on Linden Street. The victim, who followed the suspect, was outside the car attempting to call police when Bernard grabbed the phone from his hand and got back in the cab. In an attempt to stop the suspect from leaving the scene the victim grabbed the rear of the cab and was dragged about two blocks before falling off, suffering an abrasion to his elbow and a leg injury. The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment to his injuries.
On Saturday, April 05, 2014 at 1:15 P.M. Bernard was located at his residence and placed under arrest without incident. He is charged with Robbery 1st degree, Robbery 2nd degree, Criminal Mischief 4th degree, Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Physical Injury and Leaving the Scene of an Accident without report. He will be arraigned on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at First District Court in Hempstead.