Oceanside man arrested after assaulting police officer

An Oceanside man, Vincent Fredericks, 21, has been arrested following an assault on two police officers on Monday, March 4. The incident occurred just after 6 p.m. in Westbury along Old Country Road.

Police observed a black BMW, reported stolen and linked to multiple crimes across Nassau County, traveling westbound on W. John Street. Fredericks was identified as the operator of the vehicle and was with Pia Califano, 20, of Levittown, seated in the front passenger seat. As officers approached the vehicle parked at 1636 Old Country Road, Fredericks refused to comply with verbal commands, accelerating forward and striking two officers before fleeing eastbound on Old Country Road.

The assaulted officers were transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Through their investigation, detectives were able to connect Fredericks to a spree of criminal activities spanning from Jan. 29 to March 4. The charges against Fredericks include robbery, assault, two counts of grand larceny, reckless endangerment, three counts of criminal possession of stolen property, sixteen counts of petit larceny, and attempted petit larceny.

Pia Califano was found responsible for a petit larceny incident on March 1 and was issued an appearance ticket returnable to First District Court, Hempstead, on March 18.

Authorities had been in search of Fredericks following the assault on the officers and had offered a reward of $10,000 for credible information leading to his arrest. The black BMW, bearing Connecticut registration number 754WOS, was believed to be his mode of transportation.

Fredericks is set to be arraigned on Friday, March 8, 2024, at First District Court, Hempstead.