Man Arrested For Hicksville Gas Station Distraction Robbery: Police

A 21-year-old Queens man was arrested for his involvement in a distraction robbery that occurred at a Hicksville gas station in June, police say.

According to authorities, Zakariya Peerzada, of Glen Oaks, and another person, who has not yet been apprehended, were involved in a robbery at Mobil, located at 285 North Broadway, on Monday, June 26 at 12:34 a.m.

Police say the 49-year-old employee was helping a man open an outside bathroom door after he had complained the key issued to him would not open the door. A second man was then seen by the employee enter into the gas station and steal from the cash register, police said.

A brief struggle ensued with the employee as both men fled on foot with the proceeds. The second man forcefully pushed a newspaper rack into the employee, police said. The men then fled the scene.

Peerzada was charged with second-degree robbery and was arraigned Sunday at First District Court in Hempstead.

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