VALLEY STREAM, N.Y. (1010 WINS) – Two Queens men were arrested for allegedly robbing a Long Island transport van driver who'd asked one of them to keep his mask on.
The 60-year-old driver was robbed as the van was near Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream around 6 p.m. Wednesday, according to Nassau County Police.
The driver had asked Frederick Thomas, 24, to stop removing his mask and the two of them got into an argument, police said.
As the van made a stop to allow passengers out, Thomas punched the driver in his neck and Tajh Parker, 19, stole an undisclosed amount of money from the driver's hand, according to police.
Police said Thomas and Parker fled the scene but were later arrested and charged with second-degree robbery.
They were scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.
Under an executive order signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo this year, passengers over the age of 2 are required to wear a face covering on all public or private transport vehicles if they're unable to maintain social distancing.
