Arrest Made in Rash of Nassau Pharmacy Burglaries

Three men were arrested early Monday in connection with a rash of area pharmacy burglaries occurring over the past week, say Nassau police.

The three allegedly broke into Locust Valley Chemists on Forest Avenue at 12:20 a.m. Monday then broke into Glen Head Pharmacy on Glen Cove Avenue about an hour later. On both occasions, they broke the glass of the front door to get in and removed an undetermined amount of pharmaceuticals.

Two of the men managed to get away from Nassau Police who responded to the burglary in Glen Head. Casey Arena, 19, of Hicksville was apprehended.

Steven Rose, 20, of Hicksville and Steven Cross, 21, of East Meadow fled the scene in a white car driven by Cross. The car was stopped by Old Brookville Police on Chicken Valley Road.  

When police approached the car, Cross allegedly fled, nearly hitting an officer. The car was eventually stopped on Shuswamp Road and Dogwood Lane where both Cross and Rose were arrested by Old Brookville Police.

Detectives were able to connect Casey Arena to three additional burglaries at the following pharmacies after further investigation:

Harry’s Pharmacy, 333 S. Broadway Hicksville on Sept. 22, 2013

Duane Reade, 1149 Merrick Avenue North Merrick on Sept. 28, 2013

Meadow Drugs, 353 Newbridge Road East Meadow on Sept. 28, 2013

Arena is charged with five counts of third degree burglary and first and second degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Rose is charged with two counts of third degree burglary and first and second degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Cross is charged with two counts of third degree burglary, first and second degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and first degree reckless endangerment.

All three men will be arraigned on Tuesday in First District Court, 99 Main Street Hempstead.