Cops: Arrest in Lynbrook smoke-shop heist

One of the two men police said robbed a smoke shop in Lynbrook at gunpoint in November 2009, tying up an employee, was arrested Thursday morning at his home in Queens.

Nassau County police said Roger E. Earl, 51, was arrested by Fifth Squad detectives, the police Fugitive Squad and the Federal Task Force Fugitive Squad at his home on 57th Avenue in Corona at 6:35 a.m.

The second suspect is being sought, police said.

Police said Earl and his accomplice entered Smoker's Choice on Sunrise Highway just before 4 p.m. on Nov. 21, 2009, produced a handgun and restrained an employee with plastic ties. The two men then stole cash and five cartons of cigarettes before fleeing.

The victim, who was not injured, managed to free himself and call 911, police said.

Police did not say what evidence led them to Earl.

Earl was charged with first-degree and second-degree robbery and is scheduled for arraignment at a future date.