Crime and courts briefs

SYOSSET

Man robs store of beer,

candy, hits clerk, cops say

A 27-year-old man was arrested Wednesday night, minutes after he robbed a 7-Eleven in Syosset -- attacking a store clerk who questioned him about his identification, police said.

James Eisinger, whose address is unknown, was arrested by Nassau County police Second Precinct officers near the Syosset train station.

He was charged with third-degree robbery and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. He also faces a charge of second-degree criminal contempt, stemming from what police said was a previous order of protection.

Eisinger was arraigned yesterday in First District Court in Hempstead and held on $10,000 bail. A temporary order of protection was also issued against him.

Police said Eisinger entered the 7-Eleven on Berry Hill Road just before 6:30 p.m., picked out a beer and other items, placed them on the counter for purchase -- then, when asked for identification, handed the clerk a Florida identity card.

The clerk questioned Eisigner about his address, and Eisinger became "agitated" and jumped the counter, striking the clerk on the side of the face, police said.

Eisinger then grabbed the beer and a pack of candy and fled to a waiting auto, police said. But a witness in the parking lot took the license plate number and called 911, police said.

Eisinger was arrested a short time later, police said.

ISLIP TERRACENovice driver crashes into

store where he works

A 21-year-old man with a learner's permit accidentally crashed his car yesterday through the front of the 7-Eleven where he works in Islip Terrace, Suffolk County police said.

Police said the man's mother was in the car with him at the time of the crash and the driver told them he mistakenly stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake.

No one in the car or the store was injured, according to police.

Police did not release the identity of the driver. He was not charged.

The store is on Carleton Avenue near Cleveland Street. The crash occurred about 6 a.m.

Police said a Town of Islip building inspector found no structural damage, but said the front window of the store needed to be replaced.