Port Jeff Station, NY - October 2nd, 2014 - A man entered the New York Gold Center, located at 518 Middle Country Road, demanded cash from the clerk and then fled the store with the cash at approximately 10:50 a.m. Being aware of a suspect vehicle description previously issued, Police Officer Greg Stroh stopped a vehicle at approximately 11:15 a.m. and observed that the driver, Benjamin Rakoczy, was in possession of the stolen cash. Officer Stroh arrested Rakoczy.
Further investigation by Sixth Squad detectives revealed Rakoczy also robbed the following four businesses in Port Jefferson Station within the last 13 days:
- The Family Dollar Store, 526 Route 112 on September 19.
- Carvel, 407 Route 112, on September 23.
- Gold Coast Gold Buyers, 1125 Route 112, on September 28.
- GNC, 560 Jefferson Plaza, on September 29.
Rakoczy was charged with five counts of Robbery 3rd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument, Operating a Vehicle with a Suspended Registration, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, and Uninsured Operator.
Rakoczy will be held overnight at the Sixth Precinct in Selden and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on October 2.
The investigation is continuing and police request that anyone with information please call Sixth Squad detectives at 631-854-8652.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.