Two people were arrested Saturday night after police say they stole items from a West Hempstead restaurant and threatened employees with a knife during a confrontation outside the business.
According to Nassau County police, officers responded to a disturbance at La Candela Restaurant on Hempstead Turnpike around 8:30 p.m. on April 18. Investigators said Jason Thompson, 45, of Bayside, and Dana Ardezzone, 47, of Queens Village had dined inside the restaurant before removing various tableware items and concealing them in to-go bags.
After the pair left the restaurant, two employees approached them in an attempt to recover the items, police said. During that encounter, Thompson allegedly shoved the workers and displayed a knife, placing them in fear for their lives.
The employees called 911, and responding officers arrested both individuals without incident.
Thompson is charged with first-degree robbery, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and second-degree menacing. Ardezzone is charged with second-degree robbery.
First-degree robbery is a felony that can carry significant prison time if a defendant is convicted, particularly when a weapon is allegedly used during the incident.
Both defendants are scheduled to be arraigned on April 19 at First District Court in Hempstead. The charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
