Threatening Notes, Cash, Cocaine: Kings Park Man Indicted In LI Bank Robberies: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Kings Park man has been indicted on robbery and grand larceny charges after prosecutors said he stole more than $4,000 during two robberies at Flagstar Bank branches in West Babylon and Deer Park earlier this month.

Brian Blackford, 51, was indicted for 2 counts of third-degree robbery, and prosecutors said he also faces multiple grand larceny charges tied to the two incidents.

According to prosecutors, the first robbery happened on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, at about 3:43 p.m., when Blackford walked into a Flagstar Bank in West Babylon, approached a teller, and passed a threatening note. The teller then handed over $1,400, the DA’s office said.

Two days later, on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at about 12:45 p.m., prosecutors said Blackford entered a Flagstar Bank in Deer Park, passed another note to a teller, and pointed to his waist, signaling he had a weapon.

Detectives found Blackford in Copiague and arrested him hours after the second robbery, prosecutors said.

At the time of the arrest, prosecutors said Blackford had powder cocaine and was found with a paper note that read, “give me $10,000 cash no funny business,” along with more than $2,700 in cash.

Blackford was arraigned Tuesday, Dec. 23, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Philip Goglas, prosecutors said.

The charges include 2 counts of third-degree robbery (Class D felonies). Prosecutors said he is also charged with third-degree grand larceny (Class D felony), fourth-degree grand larceny (Class E felony), and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree (Class D felony), as well as resisting arrest (Class A misdemeanor).

Justice Horowitz ordered Blackford held on $250,000 cash, $600,000 bond, or a $2,500,000 partially secured bond while the case is pending, prosecutors said.

Blackford is represented by defense attorney Chris Cassar. Blackford entered a plea of not guilty, his attorney said.

“He maintains his innocence and will hold people to their proof,” said Pierre Bazile, of the CA Law Firm.

Blackford is due back in court on Jan. 27, 2026, according to the DA’s office. If convicted of the top count for each incident, prosecutors said he faces up to 3.5 to 7 years in prison.

“Bank robberies put employees, customers, and responding officers at serious risk,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said. “Thanks to the swift work of the Suffolk County Police Department, the defendant was apprehended and will now be held accountable for his alleged crimes.”