Teen Nabbed In String Of 5 Delivery Robberies In Suffolk Communities: Police

LONG ISLAND, NY — A teenager has been arrested in connection with robbing five delivery drivers — four apparently while waving what appeared to be a handgun — since February, Suffolk police said Wednesday.

The 17-year-old from Bellport, whose identity was withheld due to his age, called local restaurants, making food delivery orders to various locations in Bellport, Patchogue, and Shirley on five separate occasions between Feb. 22 and April 13, and once the driver arrived at the addresses, the teen then swiped cash and cell phones before making a break for it, according to police.

The teen waved what appeared to be a handgun during four of the robberies, police said.

After an investigation by detectives from the 5th Squad in Patchogue, the teen was arrested at a location in Bellport on Tuesday at around 2:35 p.m., and he is being charged with first-degree robbery for the following incidents:

• A Chinese food delivery driver was robbed while delivering to a home on Montauk Highway in Bellport on Feb. 25 at around 9 p.m.
• • A pizza delivery driver was robbed while delivering to a home on Doane Avenue in North Bellport on March 1 at 8:23 p.m.
• A pizza delivery driver was robbed while delivering to a home on Terry Street in Patchogue on March 7 at 10 p.m.
• A pizza delivery driver was robbed while delivering to a home on Brushwood Drive in Shirley on Feb. 22 just after 8 p.m.

He is also being charged with second-degree robbery in connection with a delivery driver who was robbed while delivering to a home on Michigan Avenue in North Bellport on Sunday at around 8:25 p.m.

The string of robberies were first reported by Patch.

Additionally, the teen is being charged with third-degree grand larceny for stealing a motor vehicle from a shopping center on Patchogue-Yaphank Road on February 2 at around 8:40 a.m.

The tee is being held overnight at the 5th Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Wednesday.

Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding any of these incidents to contact them at 631-854-8552.