Army Vet’s Wheelchair Recovered
The stolen wheelchair of an Iraq War veteran has been recovered and returned to the disabled hero. The custom made wheelchair prices at $3,000 and was built specially for Army Cpl. Christopher Levi, 28, who lost both his legs in a 2008 bombing. The wheelchair went missing January 19 when Levi left it outside his Holbrook while he ran errands in his handicapped accessible vehicle. Levi used a loaner all week but was more than relieved when his custom-wheels, adorned with all its patriotic trimmings including an embroidered Purple Heart and US Army seal, was returned. A man spotted it Thursday while driving past a wooded area in Holbrook. Police are continuing to investigate the theft.
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Suspect Nabbed in Stabbing, Car Jacking at Roosevelt Field Mall
A 21-year-old was stabbed in the face Wednesday night during a carjacking at Roosevelt Field Mall. It happened just after 10pm, when a 23-year-old employee of Houston’s restaurant parked his Mazda in front of the restaurant and went inside to pick up his paycheck. He left the car running with his 21-year-old friend inside. Shortly after another man, now identified as Lynbrook resident Damien Armella, 31, got into the Mazda and began to drive off. Armella turned to the vehicle’s occupant and asked “Are you going to get out?” and when the victim said “No” Armella produced a black-handled kitchen knife and stabbed him in the face, head and left hand, according to Nassau County police officer Christopher Barling. The victim then rolled out of the car onto the pavement as Armella drove away. The victim was taken to a local hospital with numerous stab wounds. The car has since been recovered and Armella has been arrested and is charged with attempted murder in the first degree, two counts of robbery in the first degree, two counts of assault in the first degree, robbery in the second degree and possession of a dangerous weapon in the fourth degree.
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Nesconset Man Arrested in Bank Robbery
About an hour after walking into the Nesconset branch of People’s United Bank and handing a teller a note stating he has a gun and demanding cash be put into the messenger bag he carried with him, Andreas Dambakakis, 30, was arrested at him home on Kental Lane. After robbing the bank at about 8:41am, Dambakakis fled the scene on foot. Dambakakis was taken into custody and is being charged with robbery in the third degree.
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Valley Stream Woman Claims $1M a Year for Life
A 37-year-old Valley Stream homemaker was announced as the $1 million a Year for Life scratch-off winner. Yuliya Lankri is a mother of three who emigrated from Russia in 1991. The scratch-off ticket was a Hanukkah gift from her husband. Lankri says she’s “still in disbelief.” She one of ten lottery winners receiving awards on Thursday at the Garden City claims office, including five people who split a ticket at their workplace, a retired corrections officer who won about $2 million is the Money for Life scratch-off game, a Massapequa couple who won $5 million with a Set for Life scratch-off ticket.