A homeless man has been arrested for allegedly stealing items from two different stores.
On August 8 at 5:45 a.m., an unknown male entered the 7-11 located at 225-08 Jericho Turnpike. Once inside, the subject allegedly approached a 23-year-old male employee and brandished a knife while demanding cigarettes. The employee refused, at which time the defendant removed multiple bags of candy, valued at approximately $492 and left the store without paying. The subject then fled the scene on foot.
On Monday, August 10, Nassau County Third Squad detectives located Derek A. Atwater, 45, exiting the Dollar Tree, located at 250-80 Jericho Turnpike, carrying a reusable bag being followed by the store manager. The store manager approached detectives and it was determined that Atwater had just allegedly selected various items, concealed them in the reusable bag and passed all points of purchase without paying. Detectives placed Atwater under arrest without incident. Further investigation revealed the defendant is also responsible for four additional larcenies that occurred at that Dollar Tree this month.
Police charged Atwater with Robbery in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Menacing in the Second Degree and five counts of Petit Larceny. He will be arraigned on August 11 at First District Court in Hempstead.