Cops seek East Patchogue gas station robber

Police are still seeking an armed suspect who robbed a gas station in Brookhaven not long after authorities said he tried — and failed — to rob another gas station in East Patchogue.

The robberies both took place on Feb. 4.

Suffolk County police have released video surveillance from the second incident, which took place at OK Petroleum on Montauk Highway in Brookhaven just after 9 p.m. In that video, the suspect, wearing a hooded coat, enters the gas station store, displays a semiautomatic handgun, then steals cash from the register drawers.

Police said the robbery occurred not long after the same suspect attempted to rob a Valero station, also on Montauk Highway, but fled that station when the clerk refused to comply.

Police are now asking anyone with information about the incidents to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477. Tipsters can also submit their information by texting SCPD at “CRIMES” (274637), or by emailing tipsubmit.com.

All calls, texts and emails are confidential and police said tipsters are eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for any information leading to an arrest in the case.

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.”