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Nassau Robbers Targeted Business Owners, Cops Say

Three men have been arrested for their alleged roles in robbing business owners—one of whom was targeted a second time after a failed Uniondale home invasion last month, Nassau County police said.

The trio is accused of robbing business owners as they left work or after following the victims home and mugging them there—and investigators believe that there may be more victims out there.

“They would rush up on these people either at knife point or at gunpoint,” Det. Sgt. John Giambrone, commander of the Robbery Squad, told reporters Thursday during a news conference at police headquarters in Mineola.

Selvin Esquivel, 33, of Uniondale, 23-year-old Carlos Guzman-Lobo of Freeport and 24-year-old Fredy Cortez-Sandoval of Hempstead were each charged with criminal possession weapon.

Guzman-Lobo and Cortez-Sandoval were also charged with robbery.  Cortez-Sandoval was additionally charged with first-degree burglary for the alleged home invasion in which the suspect escaped. Guzman-Lobo is facing a charge of false impersonation as well.

Investigators linked the suspects to the alleged crime spree after Bureau of Special Operations officers pulled over a vehicle for illegal tints early Wednesday. The driver, Esquivel, is facing charges of criminal possession forged instrument and several traffic violations. Detectives then linked the trio to the robberies, police said.

All three suspects are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday at First District Court in Hempstead.