Police May Be Closer To Armed Robber Arrest

Suffolk County Police are reportedly getting closer to finding the armed robber suspected of committing at least 15 robberies throughout Patchogue, Lake Ronkonkokma, Nesconset and nearby areas since Dec. 9.

Police have previously described the man as possibly Hispanic, between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-10 inches tall, wearing a hooded sweatshirt, dark-colored scarf and mask covering his face. Only one photo of the man has been released thus far, taken from the Jan. 7 robbery of the Best Express convenience store in Lake Ronkonkoma.

According to police sources cited by Newsday, the suspect lives in Medford and works at a body shop. The police source also said in the report that investigators believe the cars that the man used to flee the robberies came from the shop. According to intelligence documents obtained by the publication, the suspect has driven off in either a silver car with a sun roof, a foor-door sedan, a pickup truck or a sport utility vehicle. The suspect has also fled on foot for some of the robberies.

Det. Lt. Edward Reilly told Newsday that the man targets cash-type businesses, and has stolen nearly $2,000 from a Sunoco gas station at 3423 Route 112 in Coram on Christmas Day. According to the documents, the suspect stole $700 on two different nights from the Medford location of Subway at 2920 Route 112. However, the man reportedly did not get any money from the 7-Eleven at 2810 Route 112 in Medford on Jan. 3 nor the Royal Market at 451 Glen Drive in Shirley on Jan. 2.

Patch contacted Suffolk County Police regarding the claims of the police source and intelligence documents, and was told that police are not confirming these at this time. The investigation is still ongoing, police said.

Click here for the report in Newsday (Subscription).