Community Corner

Man Arrested Minutes After Holtsville Ecology Center Mugging

Suspect allegedly threatened victim with knife while she was exercising, says police.

This article was written by Michael Sorrentino, editor of the Patchogue Patch.

A North Patchogue man was arrested minutes after allegedly threatening a woman with a knife, taking her iPhone and fleeing on foot at Holtsville Ecology Center Friday morning, says Suffolk County Police.

Police say a call was received around 10:45 a.m. regarding the theft, which occurred while the victim was exercising just off the running track at the center. Fifth Precinct officer Matthew Sforza responded and saw a man running on Prince Street in North Patchogue who matched the subject's description. The officer apprehended the suspect, Abdias Alvarez-Jolon, around 10:50 a.m.

Alvarez-Jolon, 22, was charged with robbery in the first degree and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip Saturday.

Police are asking who may have witnessed this incident to contact Fifth Squad Detectives at 631-854-8552. A criminal charge is solely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.



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