One arrest in mugging at East Williston, L.I., train station, but a suspect is still at large

One suspect is in custody, but Nassau County Police are still hunting for a second suspect who attacked a teenage boy outside the East Williston LIRR train station.

Platform at East Williston LIRR Train Station, steps from a robbery that unfolded the night of July 6, 2024.Photo byC.J. Teevan

It took them four weeks, but Nassau County Police arrested Dani Akhtar, 18, after he was identified by an eyewitness and video surveillance cameras as one of two men who allegedly approached the boy, 15, on Saturday night, July 6, 2024, as he walked by the LIRR train station on Sagamore Avenue around 10:30pm in East Williston, Long Island.

Police are still looking for his alleged accomplice.

The Felony Complaint filed by Detective Margaret Woloszyn against Akhtar says the two men followed their young victim down the street, then attacked him from behind.

As a male suspect in a red hooded sweatshirt and black pants grabbed the teenager's backpack, the other suspect -- Akhtar, says Det. Woloszyn -- allegedly ripped a gold chain off his neck, and fled.

Court documents value that stolen chain at $300.

When 3rd Precinct Police arrived, the suspects were gone.

But surveillance tapes were rolling. And they had a witness who saw everything.

Caught on camera: Surveillance video at the LIRR train station captured the Saturday night mugging in real time, say police.Photo byC.J. Teevan

Police say Dani Akhtar was positively ID'd in a photo lineup by their witness. They released Akhtar's mug shot as he was being arraigned on Wednesday, one month to the day of the incident.

Akhtar was charged with Robbery, a C Felony, and Grand Larceny, an E Felony. He pleaded Not Guilty.

Judge Madeleine Petrara-Perrin set bail for Akhtar, who was wanted in another criminal matter.

In New York, conviction on the C Felony alone carries a minimum 3 1/2 years in an upstate prison for a first-time offender.

Akhtar remains in custody at Nassau Correctional Center, the county jail in East Meadow. Police are still hunting for Akhtar's alleged accomplice. It remains unclear if they know who the suspect is but have not found him.

Yet.

Waiting area by Sagamore Avenue at the LIRR train station, East Williston, Long Island. Investigators say this block was the crime scene.Photo byC.J. Teevan