Trio Robbed Nassau Store, Punched Employee To Flee: Police

UNIONDALE, NY — Three men were arrested Saturday after shoplifting from a store in the Roosevelt Field Mall and attacking an employee.

A 39-year-old employee of Moose Knuckles, a high-end winter clothing brand, saw David Jennings, 54, of Queens, and Raquan Pitt, 30, of Hempstead, hide about $330 worth of merchandise and then leave the store, police said. The employee followed them and tried to get the merchandise back, but police said Jennings punched him in the face and then fled.

The two fled in a white Jeep Cherokee driven by William Morris, 39, of Hempstead, police said.

A short time later, officers saw the car heading south on Ring Road and pulled it over. Officers arrested Morris and Pitt without incident. Jennings got out of the SUV and tried to run, police said. He refused multiple orders from the officers and resisted arrest, police said, and reached toward his waistband, prompting officers to use stun guns on him. Jennings was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Police said they found a white powdery substance on Jennings believed to be cocaine after his arrest.

Jennings is charged with third- and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree robbery, petty larceny, second-degree obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest. He will be arraigned when medically practical.

Pitt is charged with petty larceny and was released on an appearance ticket. He is due back in court Feb. 9.

Morris was charged with multiple vehicle and traffic law violations and released on an appearance ticket. He is also due back in court on Feb. 9.