Cops: Huntington Station home invaded a second time

Armed robbers broke into the basement of a Huntington Station home early Monday but were thwarted by its occupants, Suffolk police said.

Daryl Miller, 29, of Sutton Avenue in Huntington, was caught and held by the occupants, and an accomplice fled, according to Det. Sgt. Steven Bluethgen.

The house on Seventh Avenue North near West Hills Road also was broken into in November 2008, police said. Those would-be robbers were scared off when one resident pulled out a shotgun, police said.

Bluethgen said the home was specifically targeted in both attempted robberies, but he would not say why. Police also declined to identify the victims.

It was not clear if the same people foiled both home invasions. Bluethgen said the November 2008 break-in was likely committed by a different group of robbers.

Around 12:20 a.m. Monday, Miller and another man broke into the basement, where five men were playing video games, police said.

"The suspects pointed handguns at the victims and ordered them not to move," a police news release said. "One of the victims grabbed one of the suspects and a struggle ensued and at least one shot was fired. The victims were able to wrestle the gun away from the suspect, subdued him and called police. The second suspect fled."

Police arrived and took Miller to Huntington Hospital for treatment of his injuries. He later escaped, but was caught hiding in a yard on New York Avenue in Halesite, police said. Officer Joseph Margiotta fractured his hand during the arrest, police said.

Miller was charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree escape, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, second-degree assault and resisting arrest.

He gave a false name when arrested and will also be charged with false impersonation, Bluethgen said.

Miller was on parole for a 2000 assault conviction, so will also be charged with a parole violation, Bluethgen said.

Arraignment details were not immediately available. The other suspect was still being sought.

With John Valenti