Freeport Man Convicted of RVC Burglary, Assaulting Cops

Nearly two years after and assaulting two Rockville Centre cops in a bid to elude arrest, a Freeport man was convicted of his crimes and could face up to 25 years in prison, officials said.

It took a jury about three hours to convict Jerry Valery, 41, of Freeport, of two counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree assault, second and third degree attempted robbery and resisting arrest.

According to Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 22, 2010, Valery entered an Allen Road home by pushing in a dining room window air conditioner and stole assorted jewelry and electronics, including a camera and a laptop computer. Valery tripped the home’s burglary alarm when he entered, and two Rockville Centre police officers quickly arrived at the scene.

Valery was confronted by the officers inside the rear of the home, and violently resisted arrest. Valery repeatedly threw punches at the officers and grabbed one of their firearm holsters before being tased and placed under arrest. Both officers were treated for minor injuries.

The jury rejected Valery’s claims that he was supposed to meet a woman at that address, and that he was only in the backyard and never inside the home.

“This situation could have quickly turned tragic if not for the excellent police work of these two officers, and it further underscores the danger law enforcement personnel face every day,” Rice said. “Thanks to their efforts and the outstanding work by the prosecution, a dangerous criminal is off our streets and facing a lengthy prison sentence.”