Cops: Two men attempt to rob car occupied by county detectives

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Two men were arrested around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 11, for attempting to rob a car that they didn’t know was occupied by two on-duty detectives, according to police.

The detectives, who were on narcotic enforcement under the county’s Operation Natalie, said that they saw Jordan Hernandez, 18, of Uniondale, and Jose Pineda, 18, of Hempstead, exiting the Coliseum Motor Inn on Hempstead Turnpike, in East Meadow, before approaching their car. As they came closer, Hernandez allegedly put on a white ski mask and approached the passenger side.

Pineda allegedly approached the driver’s side with a bulge in his sweatshirt pocket that further investigation revealed was an imitation handgun and a kitchen knife.

The detectives “feared for their life,” according to a police report, and revealed their identification before ordering the two men to stop. Both men were arrested at the scene without incident and no injuries were reported.

Hernandez and Pineda are being charged with second-degree attempted robbery. They will be arraigned in the Nassau County First District Court on Jan. 22.

Hernandez is being represented by the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County, which typically does not comment on active cases. Pineda’s defense attorney, Adam Christopher Neal, could not be reached by press time.

More information to follow.

—Brian Stieglitz