Cops: Manorville man charged in string of robberies

Suffolk County police have nabbed a Manorville man who they say is responsible for a recent string of armed robberies.

Police said Paul Tromblee, 35, is suspected in the robbery spree that included gas stations in Calverton, Mastic, North Babylon, St. James, Dix Hills and Bohemia, a Jamba Juice store in Stony Brook, the Kissed by the Sun tanning salon in Islip, and a CVS pharmacy in Lake Ronkonkoma.

In the robberies, which took place over two weeks beginning Oct. 26, Tromblee pretended to make a purchase, then demanded cash, police said.

Detectives from the pattern crime unit used video surveillance, tips, and calls received on the Crime Stoppers hotline to identify Tromblee, who was arrested at 3:05 p.m. Saturday afternoon as he drove along Sunrise Highway in Brookhaven, police said.

Tromblee was charged Sunday with eight counts of first-degree robbery and one count of third-degree robbery. At his arraignment Sunday at First District Court in Central Islip, Tromblee was ordered held on $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond. He is due back in court on Friday.

Police said they are still determining whether Tromblee was also responsible for recent similar robberies, and ask anyone with information about this case to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.