Masked men tried to rob Quogue auto repair shop on Halloween, police say

Two men in Halloween face masks tried to rob a Quogue auto repair shop and attacked two people there before being captured several miles away, Quogue Village police said Thursday.

One of the suspects had on a horned skeletal mask and the other a ghoulish one as they tried to hold up Escobar Auto Repairs on Midhampton Avenue about 2:50 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said. 

Shop owner Ulises Galdamez said one man came in asking for candy from his 68-year-old grandfather, who works there.

"He asked for trick or treat candy and my grandfather gave it to him," Galdamez said, "and he went to the office to make sure I wasn't here because I'm a licensed gun carrier and not only that, I'm a bigger, younger guy."

The robber then called out to his masked accomplice, the repair shop owner said. While the first man tried to beat up another employee, the second hit the grandfather in the head with a gun and kicked him several times as he lay on the ground, Galdamez said.

"How do you beat up on a 68-year-old man?" Galdamez said. "I just don't get it."

But the two victims fought back, forcing their assailants to run to their getaway vehicle, parked a few yards away, he said.

The younger employee was able to damage the robbers' vehicle before it sped off, he said. 

"My guy threw a brick through it" and it smashed the getaway car's front windshield, Galdamez said.

A short while later, Southampton Town police spotted the car on Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays, Quogue police said.

Jason A. Hutson, 33, and Shaun J. Worthington Jr., 19, both of Riverhead, were each arraigned Thursday on charges of first-degree attempted robbery, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree burglary and fifth-degree conspiracy, Quogue police said. Hutson was also charged with second-degree menacing and fifth-degree criminal use of a firearm, police said, while Worthington was also charged with second-degree assault.

Galdamez said Hutson used to deliver parts to his shop.

Hutson was held without bail, police said. His attorney, David Falkner of Riverhead, said his client maintains his innocence.

Worthington was held on bail of $150,000 cash or $300,000 bond, police said. The name of his attorney was not immediately available.

The younger employee did not have to be treated at the hospital, Galdamez said, and his grandfather, released from the hospital Wednesday, wanted to come in to work the next day despite his back pain. Galdamez said he rejected the offer: "I said 'Grandpa, you're staying home."