Crime and courts briefs
WESTBURY
Man robs credit union
A Westbury credit union was robbed Thursday by a man who passed the teller a note saying he had a gun, Nassau police said.
The robber demanded money at the Bethpage Federal Credit Union on Old Country Road and was able to escape with an undetermined amount of cash, police said.
It happened about 2:20 p.m. while two customers and six employees were inside, but no injuries were reported, police said.
The suspect, last seen running south on Westbury Drive, wore a patterned knit ski cap, a tan hooded jacket, a beige and black scarf, jeans and white sneakers, police said. He appeared to weigh 170 pounds and was about 6 feet, 3 inches to 6 feet, 5 inches tall, police said.
Detectives said anyone with information could contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477.
CORAM
Man sought in gas station stickup
Suffolk County police Thursday were looking for a man who robbed a Coram gas station.
A man entered the Sunoco station at 3423 Rte. 112 about 12:50 a.m. with what appeared to be a gun in his waistband, a police spokeswoman said.
He demanded cash from the clerk, who complied, she said.
The suspect then left with an unspecified sum, driving away on Granny Road in a four-door sedan.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477.
HAMPTON BAYS
Police: Man stole from parked cars
A Hampton Bays man was captured following a short police chase after he was spotted rummaging through cars parked outside a home hosting a party on Christmas Eve, Southampton Town police said.
Alexander Thomas, 18, was arrested shortly after 10:45 p.m. Tuesday in Hampton Bays, police said.
He was going through several unlocked cars parked on the driveway of a home, and when one of the residents confronted him, he ran, police said Wednesday.
Officers set up a perimeter to catch him, police said, and a police dog and handler from the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office began tracking the suspect, police said.
It was then that another resident a few houses away reported seeing someone in the backyard, police said.
Officers chased and arrested Thomas, who eventually was identified by a witness as the man going through the cars, police said.
Thomas was found with stolen items, including prescription medication, an iPod, cash and marijuana from one of the vehicles, police said.
He was charged with several misdemeanors: petty larceny, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, obstructing governmental administration and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He also was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation.
Thomas was released after getting an appearance ticket to go to court for arraignment.
