(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police have arrested a man who attempted to rob a liquor store and then robbed a gas station convenience store five minutes later in Patchogue on Friday, October 16.
Michael Ward, 48, entered the Main Street Wines and Liquors, located at 333 Main St., and with his hand hidden in his sweatshirt pocket, demanded money from the employee. The employee picked up a baseball bat and chased Ward out of the store at approximately 8:15 p.m. No proceeds were taken.
Suffolk County Police have arrested Michael Ward, 48, of Selden who attempted to rob a liquor store and then robbed a gas station convenience store five minutes later on Friday, October 16. Photo Credit: SCPD.
Ward, of Selden, then entered the Hess Gas Station, located at 113 Route 112, and with his hand under his shirt, demanded cash from the employee, who complied and gave Ward cash from the register at approximately 8:20 p.m. Ward fled in a white SUV.
A short time later, Fifth Precinct patrol officers located Ward and the vehicle and he was arrested and charged with Attempted Robbery 3rd Degree and Robbery 3rd Degree.
Ward is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on October 17.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
