Crime & Safety

Crime Nearby: Queens Women Face Prostitution Charges

Notable arrests and convictions around Long Island.

Two Queens women were busted March 13 for prostitution and illegally practicing massage at a Massapequa spa, Nassau County Police said.

Mei Ying Ding, 49, and Jia Hiu He, 20, both of Flushing, were working at Healthy Spa at 185 Jerusalem Ave. Police allege they were performing massage on undercover officers without a license.

The two women also allegedly offered to perform a sex act for additional money, police said.

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Papa John's Owner Accused

Papa John’s Pizza may use better ingredients, but at least one Long Island franchisee needs better accounting.

A Levittown man who owned six Papa John’s franchises was charged March 12 with , according to Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice.  

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Ajay Choudhary, 38, was charged with second-degree grand larceny, three counts of criminal tax fraud in the second degree and 19 counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. 

He failed to report sales taxes between May 31, 2005, and Aug. 31, 2012, Rice said. Choudhary runs locations in Hicksville, Valley Stream, Uniondale, Freeport and Inwood, and is the former owner of a location in Farmingdale.

Alleged Dog Wrangler Arrested

Suffolk Police used security footage to track down an alleged dog thief Monday. Krista Kazan, 43, of Hauppauge, was arrested after she allegedly stole a $1,800 purebred dog from an Elwood pet store in February.

Police ID'd Kazan from security footage as the woman who stole a pug puppy from Yippity Yap pet store. The dog was reportedly returned by a family member the day after the surveillance photo was released. Kazan is charged with fourth degree grand larceny, a Class E felony. 

Conspiracy to Kill Judge

A Florida man pleaded guilty March 13 to a felony charge of conspiring to murder a U.S. District Court judge in Central Islip and a prosecutor who presided over a boiler room fraud conviction.

Levittown resident Joseph Romano, 50, and Dejvid Mirkovic, 38, of Lake Worth, Fla., attempted to hire a hitman and pay him $40,000 in order to kill the judge and prosecutor of the case, according to case filings.

Mirkovic paid an undercover officer $22,000 cash as a down payment for the hit. 

Rolex Robber Guilty

Javon Gamble, 33, of Brooklyn, was found guilty for his role in an armed robbery at a Manhasset jewelry store that took place Oct. 14, 2011. More than $800,000 in merchandise was stolen, including Rolex watches, according to DA Rice.

Gamble was convicted March 13 of three counts each of first and second degree robbery, and one count each of grand larceny in the second degree, criminal mischief in the second degree and possession of burglar’s tools. He faces up to 25 years in prison and will be sentenced April 19.


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