Hicksville Man Committed Multiple Robberies, Burglaries: Police

A Hicksville man who committed multiple robberies and burglaries in the area was arrested on Wednesday after authorities saw him smoking crack, police say.

According to authorities, Juan Carlos Ortiz, 25, was seen on S. Broadway smoking what appeared to be crack cocaine out of a glass pipe. Ortiz fled the scene on foot when police approached him, disposing of a hooded mask and glass pipe that were later recovered, police say.

He was placed under arrest following a brief foot pursuit.

An investigation revealed Ortiz was responsible for multiple burglaries and robberies, police say:

• He broke a window and entered Capitol One Bank, located at 190 Broadway, on Jan. 24 at 12:47 a.m. Nothing was taken.
• He entered Puff N Stuff smoke shop and demanded money on March 4 at 8:15 p.m. The employee complied.
• He pushed a woman to the ground and robbed her at knifepoint at JM Travel and Multiservice, located at 2 E. Marie St., at 9:25 p.m. on Monday, April 16.

Ortiz was arrested and charged with first-degree robbery, third-degree robbery, third-degree burglary and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He will be arraigned Thursday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Image via NCPD