Uniondale Man Injures Bethpage ShopRite Employees, Arrested After Robbery: PD

BETHPAGE, NY — A Uniondale man was arrested after a robbery at a ShopRite in Bethpage on Friday– the man also sprayed two employees with an irritant, police said.

Nassau County police said the robbery occurred at 3:25 p.m. at ShopRite on Hempstead Turnpike in Bethpage.

The man, Steve Muir of Uniondale, stole and displayed violent behavior in the past at the same location, police said. The 26-year-old was observed placing a bottle of soda in his waistband and attempted to leave without paying for it, police said.

Loss prevention employees confronted Muir, and he lowered his shoulder, charging at the employees and spraying them with an irritant, police said. The irritant caused substantial pain, including burning and itching in the two employees' throats and eyes, NCPD said.

Officers arrested Muir and found he had a knife, police said.

The two male employees were treated by a Nassau County Police Medic on scene, NCPD said.

Muir was charged with second-degree robbery, three counts of third-degree assault, second-degree assault, and two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, police said. He was arraigned on Saturday in Hempstead, police said.