Four men have been indicted for their alleged roles in a gunpoint robbery at an apartment complex in Middle Island.
Aubre Vandunk, 18, of Oceanside, Isaac Brutus, 19, of Lindenhurst, a 16-year-old male from East Patchogue and a 17-year-old male from Shirley were indicted for Robbery in the First Degree and related charges for a gunpoint robbery in Middle Island.
On October 9, Aubre Vandunk, Isaac Brutus, a 16-year-old male from East Patchogue and a 17-year-old male from Shirley allegedly contacted the victim to purchase clothing that the victim had advertised for sale on social media. At approximately 5:00 p.m. that same day, the victim allegedly met with the 17-year-old and Brutus in the parking lot of a Middle Island apartment complex. Shortly after, the 16-year-old defendant and Vandunk allegedly arrived.
(The names of the 16-year-old and 17-year-old defendants are not being disclosed because of their ages.)
During the interaction, which started out as a discussion about the clothing for sale, Brutus allegedly attempted to steal the victim’s car. When the victim tried to stop him, Brutus and Vandunk each allegedly displayed firearms and fought with the victim while the other two defendants allegedly took approximately $6,000 worth of clothing from inside the victim’s vehicle.
The defendants then allegedly fled to a friend’s apartment within the complex. Suffolk County police were immediately notified.
A K-9 tracker led to the recovery of some of the stolen property. Suffolk County Police were also able to locate where the defendants were allegedly hiding. Police surrounded the location, but the defendants called 911 and surrendered peacefully. Suffolk police later searched the apartment, where they were allegedly hiding and allegedly recovered three loaded illegal firearms, ammunition, a BB gun which was designed to look like a firearm, and some of the victim’s stolen property.
On November 6, the defendants were arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen Kerr on the following charges:
- one count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony
- one Count of Criminal Use of a Firearm in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony
- six counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, all Class C violent felonies
Brutus, 19, of Oceanside, was held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2,500,000 partially secured bond. His next court date is December 8.
Kerr ordered Vandunk, 18, of Lindenhurst, held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2,500,000 partially secured bond. His next court date is December 1.
Kerr ordered the 16-year-old defendant held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2,500,000 partially secured bond. His next court date is November 12.
Kerr ordered the 17-year-old defendant held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2,500,000 partially secured bond. His next court date is December 1.
Each defendant faces up to 25 years in prison and five years post-release supervision if convicted of the top count.
“Gunpoint robberies such as the crime alleged here will not be tolerated in Suffolk County,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney. “My office is committed to holding those who use guns to commit crimes fully accountable and to protecting the safety of Suffolk County residents.”