Fifth Squad detectives report the arrests of three (3) men for a Robbery that occurred on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 1:18 pm in Valley Stream.

According to detectives, two males entered Pet Smart located at 14 West Circle Drive.  One of the subjects took a shopping cart filled with merchandise and proceeded to exit the store without making payment.  When an employee confronted the subjects, the male pushing the cart displayed a knife and swung it at the employee before exiting the store.  The subject loaded the merchandise into the trunk of a red Honda that was parked curbside with a third subject in the driver’s seat.  The Honda fled southbound as the employee called 911.

A short time later the vehicle was observed traveling southbound on Mill Road.  Officers activated their emergency and stopped the vehicle.  Yusef Britton, 26, of Far Rockaway, David Mclaughlin, 40, of 334 Beach Street, Areverne, and James Williams, 61, 1480 Beach Channel, Far Rockaway, were arrested.  Williams was in possession of a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine.

Defendants Britton (displayed the knife), Mclaughlin and Williams (operated the vehicle) are charged with Robbery 1^st Degree.  Britton has an additional charge of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3^rd Degree.  Williams has an additional charge of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7^th Degree.  They will be arraigned on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at First District Court, Hempstead.