A 45-year-old man was arrested after police said he threatened a Bellerose Terrace 7-Eleven employee with a knife and stole nearly $500 worth of candy, then was linked to five thefts from a nearby Dollar Tree.
Nassau County police said Derek A. Atwater was arrested Monday, Aug. 10, two days after the alleged robbery at the 7-Eleven at 225-08 Jericho Turnpike.
According to Third Squad detectives, a man entered the convenience store at about 5:45 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, approached a 23-year-old employee and displayed a knife while demanding cigarettes.
When the employee refused, police said the man took multiple bags of candy valued at approximately $492 and left without paying. He then fled on foot.
Detectives said they located Atwater on Monday as he was leaving the Dollar Tree at 250-80 Jericho Turnpike carrying a reusable bag while being followed by the store manager.
The manager approached detectives, and investigators determined Atwater had allegedly selected various items, concealed them in the bag and walked past the registers without paying, police said.
Atwater was arrested without incident.
Police said further investigation linked him to four additional larcenies at the same Dollar Tree during August, bringing the number of alleged thefts from that store to five.
Atwater, who police described as undomiciled, is charged with first-degree robbery, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree menacing and five counts of petit larceny.
He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday, Aug. 11, at First District Court in Hempstead.
Photo: NCPD
