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Cops: Repeat robber accosted female downtown last week

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A man who was arrested last week on a robbery charge was arrested again on Tuesday. This time he’s charged with felony sex abuse, robbery, and unlawful imprisonment.

According to police, on Saturday Oct. 3, a cell phone was taken from a female on McDermott Avenue.

Police had been called to the area about 12:25 a.m., where a 26-year-old woman told police she was “physically accosted” by a unknown Hispanic man while she was seated in her vehicle, according to a police news release. The man reportedly entered the vehicle and took her cell phone, according to police.

The man then fled on foot south toward the Peconic riverfront, police said last week.

Following an investigation, police arrested Flanders resident Jaime Xiquin-Valdez, 26, on Tuesday just after 1 p.m.

He was charged with sex abuse in the first degree and robbery in the third degree — both felonies — as well as misdemeanor unlawful imprisonment.

Police said he was processed and arraigned and held on $25,000 bail.

In a separate incident, Mr. Xiquin-Valdez had pleaded not guilty to felony robbery last Monday. Police said he and another man — both in the country illegally — attacked another man on Railroad Avenue at knifepoint on Sunday night. Bail was set at $5,000 the next day for him.

According to his attorney, Lane Bubka, he is due back in court on Thursday. However, he was unaware of the details of the latest case.

“I have no idea what makes police think he is the man that did these crimes,” said Mr. Bubka.