The Fifth Squad reports that an arrested has been made in connection with a Robbery that originally occurred on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. in Franklin Square.
According to Detectives, Benjamin Mendoza-Colato, 20, of 43 Westend Avenue, Valley Stream entered the 7-11 located at 552 Franklin Avenue and went to the refrigerators containing alcoholic beverages. Two employees observed him take three cans of White Claw and put them in his pockets. When the suspect approached the exit, a female employee told him that she was calling 911.
Mendoza-Colato then forcibly grabbed the phone from the female victim and a physical altercation ensued. A male employee then engaged in the physical altercation, attempting to help his coworker. Mendoza-Colato forced his way out of the store and the physical altercation continued in the parking lot before he fled northbound on Franklin Avenue by foot. The male victim was treated by an NCPD ambulance at scene.
On February 15, 2026, after a thorough investigation, Mendoza-Colato, was arrested for the above incident. The defendant is charged with two counts of Robbery 3rd Degree and Criminal Mischief 4th Degree. He will be arraigned on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.
Detectives request that if anyone has information regarding the above crime to contact the Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-Tips. All callers will remain anonymous. The investigation is ongoing.