Jonathan Bird, 22, was arrested and charged with the gunpoint robbery of a New Cassel pizza parlor, Nassau police detectives said. (Handout / May 26, 2009)
A Hempstead man was arrested Sunday night and charged with the gunpoint robbery at a New Cassel pizza parlor, Nassau police detectives said.
The suspect, Jonathan Bird, 22, of 34 Covert Ave., was held overnight for arraignment Tuesday on first-degree robbery and criminal weapon possession charges.
In the Dec. 8 robbery of M & C Pizza at 993 Prospect Ave., a 35-year-old male employee and a
23-year-old male witness were present. Bird pulled a gun and ordered the two to the floor and robbed the worker, then took cash from the register, police said.
Jonathan Bird is the brother of Jo'Anna Bird, a New Cassel mother of two who police said was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend. Her family has filed notice that they intend to sue both police and prosecutors for failing to protect Bird. An internal police review found that seven officers failed to properly investigate previous domestic violence calls.
Jonathan Bird's bail was set at $360,000 bond, or $180,000 cash, Tuesday at First District Court, Hempstead. Family members declined to comment.
Staff Writer Matthew Chayes contributed to this story.
