Police: Serial knifepoint robber strikes in Ronkonkoma

<p>Police believe the serial knifepoint robber who has been holding up shops in Nassau and Suffolk has struck again, this time in broad daylight in Ronkonkoma.</p>

News 12 Staff

Apr 30, 2017, 9:55 PM

Updated 2,545 days ago

Share:

Police: Serial knifepoint robber strikes in Ronkonkoma
A man believed to be the serial knife-wielding robber targeting stores in Nassau and Suffolk counties struck a Ronkonkoma store in broad daylight Sunday, police say.
This time, the knifepoint bandit left The Barn on Hawkins Avenue with an undisclosed amount of cash shortly before noon Sunday. There are signs hanging in the store that say there is never more than $50 kept in the register.
No one was hurt.
It marks the 17th similar crime involving a man with a knife or machete in hand, police say. The same suspect is believed to have struck 10 locations in Nassau and seven in Suffolk.
The robberies have taken place as far west as Lynbrook and as far east as Ronkonkoma. Sunday's robbery also marks the third such crime in Ronkonkoma since February.  
The suspect has been caught on surveillance video in previous incidents, but police have said that poor video quality has made him difficult to identify.  
Footage from The Barn's eight security cameras was handed over to police, according to a manager.
"It was very simple, just, 'Give me the money,'" says manager Winston Thomas, retelling the account of a female employee who was working alone at the time of the robbery.
Suffolk and Nassau police are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
Anyone with information is asked to call Suffolk Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS or Nassau Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.


More from News 12
1:30
Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

2:03
Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

1:50
Concern growing over homeless shelter near West Babylon day care

Concern growing over homeless shelter near West Babylon day care

2:00
John Theissen Children's Foundation opens Family Fun Center in Wantagh

John Theissen Children's Foundation opens Family Fun Center in Wantagh

0:13
Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

0:47
Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

0:42
Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

0:23
Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

1:55
8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

2:27
2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

0:25
Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

1:34
Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

0:44
NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

1:09
The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

1:52
Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

0:37
North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

0:22
Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

1:45
Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

0:30
Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

0:19
Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex

Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex