INWOOD, N.Y. – Nassau County police say a 24-year-old Inwood man was arrested after assaulting a detective who attempted to take him into custody following a series of thefts from local retail stores.
According to detectives, Marvin Mendez Torrez, of Church Street in Inwood, was linked to several petit larcenies committed throughout September at businesses in Inwood and North Lawrence.
String of Retail Thefts
Investigators said Torrez was responsible for thefts at:
- CVS Pharmacy, 530 Burnside Avenue, Inwood (September 10, 2025)
- Marshalls, 345 Rockaway Turnpike, North Lawrence (September 24, 2025)
- Marshalls, 345 Rockaway Turnpike, North Lawrence (September 25, 2025)
- Lowe’s Home Improvement, 253 Rockaway Turnpike, North Lawrence (September 26, 2025)
Violent Arrest in Inwood
On October 5, 2025, at approximately 12:43 p.m., Fourth Squad detectives located Torrez near Henry Street and Church Street. When officers approached, he fled on foot but was soon found hiding in a backyard on Henry Street.
Police said Torrez became violent and combative while being taken into custody, injuring a detective in the process. The injured officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Torrez was also taken to a hospital for evaluation. During the investigation, officers recovered a glass pipe containing a white residue believed to be narcotics.
Charges and Arraignment
Torrez is charged with:
- Assault in the Second Degree
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree
- Criminal Possession of Stolen Property
- Four counts of Petit Larceny
- Resisting Arrest
He was scheduled for arraignment on Monday, October 6, 2025, at First District Court in Hempstead.
Key Fact & Details
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Marvin Mendez Torrez, 24, of Inwood |
| Incident Date | Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 12:43 p.m. |
| Location of Arrest | Near Henry Street and Church Street, Inwood |
| Linked Thefts | Sept. 10 (CVS, Inwood); Sept. 24 & 25 (Marshalls, North Lawrence); Sept. 26 (Lowe’s, North Lawrence) |
| Charges | Assault 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, Four Counts of Petit Larceny, Resisting Arrest |
| Injuries | One detective sustained non-life-threatening injuries during arrest |
| Evidence Recovered | Glass pipe containing white residue |
| Arraignment | October 6, 2025, First District Court, Hempstead |
| Investigating Unit | Nassau County Police Department Fourth Squad |
Q&A: Torrez Arrest
Q: Who is Marvin Mendez Torrez?
He is a 24-year-old man from Inwood who was arrested for assaulting a detective and committing several retail thefts in Inwood and North Lawrence.
Q: What was he accused of stealing?
Police linked Torrez to four separate petit larceny incidents at CVS Pharmacy, Marshalls, and Lowe’s Home Improvement during September 2025.
Q: How did the arrest unfold?
Detectives located Torrez near Henry Street and Church Street in Inwood. When approached, he ran from officers and was later found hiding in a backyard, where he resisted arrest and became combative, injuring a detective.
Q: Was anyone hurt?
Yes. A Nassau County detective sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the arrest and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Torrez was also evaluated at a hospital following his arrest.
Q: What other evidence was found?
Investigators recovered a glass pipe with white residue, believed to be narcotics-related.
Q: What charges is he facing?
Torrez is charged with assaulting a police officer, drug possession, stolen property possession, multiple counts of petit larceny, and resisting arrest.
Q: When is his next court appearance?
He was arraigned on October 6, 2025, in First District Court, Hempstead.
What could’ve been a few misdemeanor petit larceny cases has now escalated into felony-level exposure because of the assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.
Primary Felony Charge
| Charge | Description | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Assault in the 2nd Degree (PL §120.05) | Assaulting a police officer or causing injury while resisting arrest | Up to 7 years in state prison |
Additional Misdemeanor Offenses
| Charge | Description | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th (PL §220.03) | Possessing a small amount of a controlled substance | Up to 1 year in jail |
| Petit Larceny (PL §155.25)** | Theft of property valued under $1,000 | Up to 1 year per count |
| Resisting Arrest (PL §205.30)** | Preventing or attempting to prevent lawful arrest | Up to 1 year in jail |
Possible Sentencing Outcomes
| Scenario | Explanation | Likely Result |
|---|---|---|
| Convicted of Felony Assault | Felony assault on a police officer | 3–7 years in state prison |
| Plea to Lesser Charge | Reduced to misdemeanor if injuries are minor | Probation or up to 1 year in jail |
| Convicted Only of Misdemeanors | Theft and resisting arrest without assault conviction | Probation or short county jail term |
