Cops: Autopsy details home invasion suicide

The suspect who engaged in a gunfight with police during Monday night's botched home invasion robbery in North Valley Stream shot himself in the head with his .410-gauge revolver, according to authorities and records released Wednesday.

The home invasion -- in which the suspect and his alleged accomplice tried to steal more than $22,000 -- was interrupted by Nassau police. The first officer on the scene pulled off a daring rescue of a family of six being held captive, then walked back inside and into the gunfight, authorities and records said.

Officers fired at Timothy Capers, 36, of Jamaica, Queens, but only Capers' own shot hit him, police said Wednesday an autopsy confirmed.

Capers' accused accomplice, Levy Robinson, also of Jamaica, was arraigned Wednesday and ordered by Judge Eric Bjorneby to be held without bail. Prosecutor Shanon N. LaCorte said police arrested Robinson in the North Valley Stream home Monday night.

Robinson, 43, a cook at St. John's University and father of five, was charged with burglary, robbery and criminal possession of a weapon.

More than a dozen members of Robinson's family were in court to support him. They said there's more to the case than has been made public, but declined to explain.

Police said Robinson, armed with a .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, and Capers targeted the home, near Dana Avenue and Howell Road, because the family there owns cash-heavy liquor stores. It wasn't clear where in the home the police later found the $22,175 in cash.

Police said Capers hid in the driveway and forced a man who lives there, who was in his car, to go inside at gunpoint. The man was tied up with other relative while the two looted the home, police said.

Responding to a 911 call, the first officer on the scene kicked down the door after peering through a window and seeing the bound man gesturing toward the suspects. The cop freed the family and went back in, where the gun battle ensued.