A Valley Stream man has been arrested for a robbery that took place last month in Franklin Square.
On January 21 at 12 p.m., Benjamin Mendoza-Colato entered the 7-11 located at 552 Franklin Avenue and went to the refrigerators containing alcoholic beverages. Two employees reportedly observed him take three cans of White Claw and put them in his pockets.
When Mendoza-Colato approached the exit, a female employee told him that she was calling 911. He then allegedly forcibly grabbed the phone from the female victim and a physical altercation ensued. A male employee then engaged in the altercation, attempting to help his coworker. The suspect allegedly forced his way out of the store and the altercation continued in the parking lot before the victim fled northbound on Franklin Avenue by foot. The male victim was treated by an NCPD ambulance at the scene.
Mendoza-Colato, 20, was arrested and charged with two counts of Robbery in the Third Degree and Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree. He is scheduled to be arraigned on February 15 at First District Court in Hempstead.