A Sayville man was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to committing and attempting to commit multiple armed robberies of convenience and liquor stores in Holtsville and Huntington Station in November 2025.
On November 11, 2025, at approximately 4:02 a.m., Michael Perko, wearing a dark, multicolored ski mask, dark coat, and black gloves, entered a Holtsville gas station. Once inside, he pointed a rifle at the employee on duty and demanded money. When the employee threatened to call police, he left the gas station without any money. The incident was reported to the Suffolk County Police Department.
Later that same night, at approximately 7:52 p.m., Perko entered a liquor store in Holtsville while holding a rifle. He pointed the rifle at the cashier and instructed him to empty the register. When the cashier said that the register only had a small amount of money available, Perko fled again without any money.
The following day, on November 12, 2025, at approximately 4:10 a.m., an employee at a Huntington Station 7-Eleven was standing behind the counter when Perko entered the store displaying a black rifle. He pointed it at the employee, handed him a bag, and demanded money, cigarettes, and lottery tickets. The employee complied with the demands before Perko fled.
Later that day, at approximately 9:39 p.m., police arrested Perko just as he was entering another 7-Eleven. Following his arrest, police recovered proceeds from Perko’s crime spree inside his vehicle, including lottery tickets, cash, cigarettes, a rifle, a cartridge, and a magazine.
On February 4, 2026, Perko, 52, pleaded guilty to one count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony, and two counts of Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, both Class C felonies.
On March 11, 2026, Perko was sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.
“This sentence reflects the serious harm that this defendant’s crime spree inflicted on businesses and families across Suffolk County,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “No community should have to live with the fear that their neighborhood stores will be targeted by an armed offender. These robberies erode the sense of safety and stability that our residents and business owners depend on every day. Thanks to the quick work of Suffolk County police officers this defendant was caught before anyone was hurt.”