Held up Gas Stations, Convenience Stores from Ronkonkoma to Massapequa
Two men were indicted on multiple counts of armed robbery and conspiracy, related to four gunpoint robberies of gas stations and convenience stores that were all hit in one night in December 2023.
From December 2, 2023 into the early morning hours of December 3, 2023, Christian Anderson and Josue Bedell allegedly coordinated the acquisition of a firearm, inconspicuous clothing, and a stolen Dodge Charger to use in a string of gunpoint robberies of gas stations and convenience stores. The alleged robberies began in Ronkonkoma and steadily moved west over an approximate one-hour span, eventually ending in Massapequa.
The first robbery occurred on December 3, 2023, at approximately 1:35 a.m., when Bedell allegedly entered a Bolla Market in Ronkonkoma, held the clerk at gunpoint, demanded money, and then fled with approximately $1,000 in cash.
About twenty minutes later, at 1:55 a.m., Bedell then allegedly entered a BP Gas Station in Hauppauge, held the clerk at gunpoint, demanded money, and then fled with about $1,200 in cash.
Less than 30 minutes later, at 2:23 a.m., Bedell allegedly picked up Anderson in the Dodge Charger and entered a 7-Eleven convenience store in Amityville. Once inside, Bedell allegedly jumped over the counter, held the clerk at gunpoint, and demanded money from the register. Anderson then allegedly drove Bedell away from the store in the Dodge Charger with approximately $800 in cash.
Six minutes later, at 2:29 a.m., Bedell and Anderson allegedly drove to a Bolla Market in Massapequa. Once inside, Bedell allegedly jumped over the counter, held the clerk at gunpoint, and demanded money from the cash register. Bedell and Anderson then allegedly drove away in the Dodge Charger with approximately $600 in cash.
Members of the Nassau County Police Department began to pursue Anderson and Bedell, but later found it abandoned after it crashed into a tree on the lawn of a residence in Wantagh. Items recovered from the vehicle and crash scene allegedly included Bedell’s cellphone, clothing belonging to each of the defendants, and some of the cash proceeds from the robberies.
Bedell and Anderson were each indicted for the following charges:
- four counts of Robbery in the First Degree, all Class B violent felonies
- two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, both Class C violent felonies
- one count of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony
On May 8, 2024, Bedell, 22, of Mastic, was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft, Jr., who ordered him held on $2 million cash, $4 million bond, or $20 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Bedell is due back in court on May 30, 2024.
On May 9, 2024, Anderson, 24, of Shirley, was arraigned on the indictment before Senft, who ordered him held on $1.5 million cash, $3 million bond, or $15 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Anderson is due back in court on May 28, 2024.
“Gunpoint robberies terrorize hard-working members of our community and hurt small businesses,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “Through the collaborative efforts of the Suffolk County Police Department, the Suffolk County Sherriff’s Office, the Nassau County Police Department, and our own Gang Violence Task Force, we were able to put this case together. My office looks forward to holding the defendants who are alleged to have committed these robberies accountable in court.”