Police arrested three men in connection with an alleged burglary that occurred on Emory Road, north of Jericho Turnpike, on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 2:25 p.m.

According to police, officer James Duignan responded to a home on Emory Road for a burglary that had just occurred. Police said a witness observed the burglary and described a white van that was used by the subjects.

Officer Duignan stopped the white van heading northbound on Emory Road. Police said the witness identified two of the subjects. Officer Duignan arrested Carlos Diaz Castro, 28, of Corona, Sneider Cano, 29, and Henry Vellejo, 23, of Hialeah, Florida and charged them with 2nd degree Burglary.

Police said officers recovered from the van the proceeds of the alleged burglary including jewelry. Additional jewelry was found and forwarded to the Crimes Against Property Squad for identification. The van was impounded.

Mineola Mayor Jack Martins said a neighbor on Emory Road called the police after some suspicious activity. "That person, whoever it happens to be, did us all a great service," he said.

Mineola Civic Association president and Emory Road resident Bill Urianek said nine Nassau County Police cars responded as well as two detective cars and a crime unit van.

Urianek said police stopped the van by the Emory Road basketball court. "It was a little scary to a degree. When you take a look out there and see three cops with their guns drawn at this van, you don't know what was in it," he said.

Mayor Martins said after speaking with Third Precinct captain Rick Capece, police aren't sure if the incident is part of a pattern.

Residents who see anything suspicious are urged to call 911.

Mayor Martins is focusing attention on the parking garage located on First Street west of Mineola Boulevard. The ground floor of the parking garage is metered parking for anyone wishing to park. However, the rest of the garage is used for parking for Winthrop-University Hospital.

The village owns the land the parking garage is on and Winthrop pays the village rent for air rights. A 30-year lease was signed in 1972 with one interesting stipulation. The lease provides that after 30 years, the village must absorb the costs of maintaining the garage. The lease was set to expire in 2002 and Mayor Martins is disputing whether the lease was ever renewed.

Mayor Martins does not want the village to absorb the cost of maintaining the garage. Those costs could amount to more than the village is collecting in rent.

The mayor acknowledged that the matter could end up in litigation. Mayor Martins even gave Winthrop a 30-day notice to vacate the premises. However, the mayor said Thursday he is expected to meet with representatives from Winthrop to work out a solution.

There will be more coverage of the situation in the next edition of the Mineola American.

Village attorney John Spellman is recovering from extensive surgery for thyroid cancer. His prognosis is good. The parking at the Little League field complex at Willis Avenue is reserved for motorists with a special permit. However, the village board voted to take half of the 110 spaces at the park and make them metered parking.