Police: Riverhead panhandler arrested, charged with robbing man
Rodney J. Brooks was arrested by Riverhead Town Police on Sept. 14, 2015. Police said Brooks grabbed cash from the victim's hand after asking for $2 and then fled. Credit: Riverhead Town Police
A panhandler who stopped a man in Riverhead, asking for $2, was arrested and charged with robbery after police said he grabbed all the man's cash -- $25 -- and ran off.
The robbery occurred on Railroad Avenue at 8:22 p.m. Monday, Riverhead Town police said. Police said the suspect, identified as Rodney J. Brooks, 28, of Riverhead, was located after a canine search.
He was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny.
The victim was not injured.
Police said the victim reported that Brooks had asked him for $2 and that "when he pulled out his money" the suspect grabbed all of it -- and after an argument, fled on foot.
Brooks was arraigned Tuesday and released on his own recognizance.
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
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