Officers Hospitalized After Handling Seized Narcotics In Westbury

Two Nassau County Police officers were hospitalized after handling a substance believed to be fentanyl that was seized during a narcotics arrest in Westbury on Saturday morning.

According to authorities, three individuals were arrested after officers on patrol observed a 2003 Toyota Parked in the rear parking lot of the AMC Theatre, located at 1025 Corporate Drive, at 12:40 a.m. Those in the vehicle were identified as:

• David Lyons, 31, of Williston Park ( driver’s seat )
• Grace Lyons, 31, of New Hyde Park ( front passenger )
• Deron Barnes, 36, of Freeport

Police say they saw various substances in plain view, including a clear bag containing a substance believed to be crack cocaine, wax envelopes containing a brown tannish substance believed to be Heroin, and a clear bag containing a white powdery substance believed to be fentanyl. There were also multiple needles and crack pipes also observed inside the vehicle, police say.

Police say Barnes, when asked to exit the vehicle, fled on foot through the parking lot. Officers were able to place him into custody after a brief violent struggle in which he kicked, punched and elbowed the officers, police say. Barnes also suffered abrasions to his body and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, police say.

Two officers began to feel faint and light headed soon after handling the substance believed to be fentanyl inside the vehicle. They were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

A Nassau County Police Emergency Unit along with The Nassau County Fire Marshal responded to assist in decontamination of the vehicle.

Barnes, Grace Lyons and David Lyons were each charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Barnes was additionally charged with resisting arrest. They were arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Sunday.

Image via NCPD: Barnes, Grace Lyons, David Lyons (l-r)