Massapequa man robbed Carvel at knifepoint, police say

A Massapequa man was arrested Tuesday night after police said he robbed a local Carvel store at knifepoint, then fled on foot.

Nassau County police said Nicholas Roca, 32, entered the ice cream store at 5596 Merrick Rd. about 8:15 p.m., displayed a knife to the 20-year-old male employee, then took cash from the store register and ran off. Police did not say how much was taken.

Responding officers located Roca not far from the scene and said he was arrested following a brief foot pursuit. Police said a crack pipe also was recovered during the arrest.

Roca was charged with first-degree robbery, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree menacing and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

He faces arraignment Wednesday in First District Court in Hempstead. Online information was not available Wednesday night.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”