Police say a homicide at a Jericho gas station robbery last month is linked to a string of armed robberies in three different neighborhoods since December.
At Nassau County Police Department headquarters this week, Acting Police Commissioner Thomas C. Krumpter said the suspect has confronted attendants at gas stations and a 7-Eleven in Westbury, Hicksville and Jericho brandishing a handgun and demanding money. Most attendants immediately complied, however an incident on Jan. 28 in Jericho turned deadly when a BP gas station clerk was fatally shot.
Cops said Hany Awad, a 56-year-old Levittown resident, was shot in the torso and left for dead behind the counter during an apparent hold up. Awad’s lifeless body was found behind the counter by a customer.
“This is a high priority in the department,” said Krumpter. “What’s unusual here is the amount of incidents in this short period of time. And the homicide has raised the stakes in this investigation.”
The suspect is described as between 5-foot-11 and 6-feet, 20-25 years of age, and of thin build. He was said to be wearing all black Nike clothing, black mask, black gloves and black Nike sneakers with red laces. Police say the suspect is armed with a silver or black handgun.
Krumpter said the department has increased patrols in the area and police have visited gas stations and convenience stores telling clerks to immediately comply with any robbery attempt.
“It is not worth your life,” he said. “The entire pattern is concerning. But the suspect has demonstrated a violent side, so we urge attendants to avoid any conflicts.”
The related incidents include:
•Dec. 20, 2014, 2:20 a.m., Citgo Gas Station, 495 Union Ave., Westbury
•Dec. 31, 2014, 3:27 a.m., Mobil Gas Station, 79 Old Country Rd., Westbury
•Jan. 8, 2015 12:25 a.m., 7-Eleven Store, 384 West John St., Hicksville
•Jan. 12, 2015, 11:50 p.m., Mobil Gas Station, 79 Old Country Rd., Westbury
•Jan. 13, 2015, 12:01 a.m., 7-Eleven Store, 384 West John St., Hicksville
•Jan. 17, 2015 6:05 p.m., Citgo Gas Station, 495 Union Ave., Westbury
•Jan. 19, 2015 9:14 p.m., Hess Gas Station, 880 Old Country Rd., Westbury
•Jan. 28, 2015 9:10 p.m., BP Gas Station, 39 Jericho Tpke., Jericho
•Feb. 6, 2015 9:35 p.m., Hess Gas Station, 800 Jericho Tpke., Westbury
•Feb. 8, 2015, 10:20 a.m., Shell Gas Station, 420 Jericho Tpke., Jericho
Crime Stoppers is asking anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the pictured suspect to call the toll free hot line 1-800-244-8477. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $10,000 reward for the arrest of the subject involved in these incidents and $25,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the homicide case.
