Three men have been arrested in connection with a knifepoint robbery in Spring Valley that left a man injured and stripped of two gold chains, following what police describe as an extended investigation stretching through February and March.
The attack happened in the early morning hours of Jan. 31 near 50 South Main Street, according to local police. The victim was approached around 1:45 a.m., assaulted at knifepoint and suffered cuts to his face and neck while two gold chains were taken, as reported by Daily Voice.
Detectives identified three suspects: 32-year-old Dario Hernandez-Vasquez and 46-year-old Santiago T. Tzalam, both of Spring Valley, and 37-year-old Martin D. Campos-Veliz of the Bronx. Hernandez-Vasquez was arrested on Feb. 10. Tzalam and Campos-Veliz were taken into custody on March 24 and have been arraigned on robbery charges, police said.
Charges and custody
Hernandez-Vasquez was arraigned in Spring Valley Justice Court and remanded to the county jail on bail, according to police. Tzalam and Campos-Veliz face similar robbery counts and were also remanded after their arraignments.
Prosecutors additionally charged Campos-Veliz with criminal possession of a weapon, authorities said.
The Rockland County Correctional Facility, where the men were remanded, is located at 55 New Hempstead Road in New City, according to the Rockland County Sheriff's Office.
Police ask for tips
Spring Valley police are asking anyone with information about the Jan. 31 attack to come forward. According to the Village of Spring Valley police page, residents can contact the department at 845-356-7400 or use the department's contact form to submit tips.
Local context
The arrests arrive in the middle of a rough winter for local investigators, with a string of violent incidents keeping Spring Valley police busy. In early January, the department investigated a stabbing and robbery at Spring Valley Memorial Park that left a separate victim injured. That earlier case also prompted public calls for tips and follow-up from detectives, as reported by Monsey Scoop.
Authorities emphasize that charges are accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Court dates and further charging documents were not immediately available and will appear in filings from the Spring Valley Justice Court and the Rockland County District Attorney's office as the cases move forward.
