By By Lindsay Christ, Managing Editor
On the roadway next to Colonial Square on Tuesday September 15, at 12:20 p.m., two men armed with a handgun approached an 18-year-old male student and demanded money, Nassau County police say. The student was able to flee, and the suspects then approached a 20-year-old male student. They forced him to lie on the floor, and removed cash from the victim's pockets. They then fled the scene in a white Honda Civic.
The victim then called Public Safety, who immediately contacted the police, according to Edward Bracht, the Director of Public Safety. After obtaining the license plate number, Nassau County and Hempstead police officers found the vehicle 40 minutes later in downtown Hempstead. They arrested Matthew Gilreath, 19 of Hempstead. Gilreath was charged with robbery and criminal possession of a firearm, both in the first degree. The second has not yet been apprehended.
There were no injuries reported.
Police have also linked the duo to a robbery that occurred on September 10, where they stole a god chain and cash from a male on Harvard Street in Hempstead. After the robbery the suspects also fled the scene in a white Honda.
Overall, Gilreath is being charged with two counts of robbery in the first degree, attempted robbery in the first degree, two counts of criminal use of a firearm in the first degree and three counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. He was arraigned on Wednesday, September 16 in the First District Court in Hempstead.
Scenes of Nassau Police around campus in the past week. (Sean M. Gates/ The Chronicle)