Crime & Safety

Police: Patchogue Man Arrested in Middle Island Robbery

Police say 22-year-old Francisco Cruz robbed the Barnwood Market on Monday evening.

A Patchogue man is in jail after police say he robbed a Middle Island market Monday evening. 

Police say Francisco Cruz, 22, entered the Barnwood Market on Middle Country Road around 5:15 p.m. with his face covered and stole a cash register from the store after threatening to use what appeared to be a gun concealed in his pocket, police said.

Cruz fled in a 2004 brown Dodge Stratus, which an officer recognized while searching the area after the robbery, police said. 

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Cruz fled on foot when the officer went toward the vehicle, but as the Dodge was being impounded, Cruz approached detectives who were able to identify him as the man behind the robbery, police said. 

Cruz is charged with first degree robbery. He is due to be arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip on Tuesday.

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Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed any of the events related to the robbery or who may have information regarding the case to contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.


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