Benjamin Rakoczy arrested in Suffolk robbery spree, cops say

A Port Jefferson Station man robbed five Suffolk County businesses in a span of 13 days, police said Wednesday.

Benjamin Rakoczy, 32, was arrested Wednesday, about a half-hour after allegedly robbing New York Gold Center, at 518 Middle Country Rd. in Coram, Suffolk County police said in a news release.

He pleaded not guilty at arraignment Thursday on five counts of third-degree robbery, criminal possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hypodermic instrument, operating a vehicle with a suspended registration, aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle and being an uninsured operator of a vehicle. Bail was set at $250,000 or $125,000 cash.

Rakoczy's attorney, Steve Fondulis of Port Jefferson, said he has not seen any evidence linking his client to the crimes.

"My client has a heroin problem and he's hoping to get some help," Fondulis said.

Police said after demanding money from a clerk at the New York Gold Center at about 10:50 a.m., Rakoczy fled with an unspecified amount of cash.

Officer Greg Stroh, recognizing a vehicle description of the suspect sent over police radio, then stopped Rakoczy's vehicle and found him with the stolen cash.

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Rakoczy was arrested, and Sixth Squad detectives later found that he had robbed four businesses in Port Jefferson Station, police said:

Family Dollar at 526 Route 112 on Sept. 19.

Carvel at 407 Route 112 on Sept. 23.

Gold Coast Gold Buyers at 1125 Route 112 on Sunday.

GNC vitamin store at 560 Jefferson Plaza on Monday.