VALLEY STREAM, NY – Nassau County Police Fifth Squad detectives report the arrest of two men following a robbery that occurred on Friday, February 27, 2026, at approximately 3:26 p.m. at a Target store in Valley Stream.
According to detectives, Jahkeli Mason, 19, of Springfield Gardens, and Darren Gordon, 36, of St. Albans, entered the Target located at 500 W. Sunrise Highway and selected assorted merchandise, placing the items into a shopping cart. The defendants allegedly passed all points of purchase and exited the store without paying.
Loss Prevention officers confronted the men outside the store. During the confrontation, the defendants allegedly threatened and shoved an employee before fleeing the scene.
A short time later, police located the suspects nearby. Following a brief foot pursuit, both men were taken into custody without further incident. No injuries were reported.
Mason and Gordon are each charged with:
- Robbery in the Second Degree
- Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree
They were scheduled to be arraigned on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at First District Court in Hempstead.
Key Facts and Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Retail Robbery / Shoplifting Escalation |
| Date of Incident | February 27, 2026 |
| Time | Approximately 3:26 p.m. |
| Location | Target, 500 W. Sunrise Highway, Valley Stream |
| Arresting Agency | Nassau County Police – Fifth Squad |
| Defendants | Jahkeli Mason, 19, Springfield Gardens; Darren Gordon, 36, St. Albans |
| Alleged Conduct | Selected merchandise, exited without payment, threatened and shoved Loss Prevention employee |
| Police Response | Suspects located shortly after incident |
| Arrest | After brief foot pursuit; taken into custody without incident |
| Injuries Reported | None |
| Charges (Both Defendants) | Robbery 2nd Degree; Grand Larceny 4th Degree |
| Arraignment Date | February 28, 2026 |
| Arraignment Location | First District Court, Hempstead |
