A Mastic Beach mother, her daughter and her son were arrested Sunday and charged in connection with an armed robbery spree in Suffolk County.
Officials say 55-year-old Deborah Salvatore, Lauren Mascia and 25-year-old Rick Mascia were caught after a holdup at the Dunkin' Donuts on Middle Country Road just after 10 p.m. Saturday.
News 12 is told Rick Mascia allegedly pulled out a knife and demanded cash while his mother was waiting for him in a car parked outside, where the pair was then arrested.
Police say the family has drug problems.
"All three are drug addicts," says Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy Sini. "The unusual or not typical fact is that they appear to be addicted to crack cocaine."
After an investigation, police also charged Lauren Mascia. At her arraignment Sunday, prosecutors say she admitted to six Suffolk knifepoint robberies at several locations including a Carvel in Farmingville and a Dunkin' Donuts in Medford.
"She was the primary perpetrator," Sini says. "She would go in purport to by an item, go at the cashier, brandish a knife and demand cash."
All three family members appeared in court in Central Islip Sunday. Lauren Mascia is being held on $600,000 bail, Ricks Mascia is being held on $300,000 bail and Deborah Salvatore is being held on $10,000 bail.
They are due back in court on Oct. 27.