Cops Arrest Two Men In Failed Armed Robbery

Police have two men in custody they say tried to rob a Lake Ronkonkoma beer distributor with what turned out to be a pellet gun.

The attempted heist went down on Tuesday afternoon after police say the two men entered Lake Ronkonkoma Beverages on Smithtown Boulevard wearing ski masks. Police say one of the men then brandished a firearm and demanded cash from an employee at the store.

The employee refused to hand over the money and the men abruptly fled on foot down Rosevale Avenue.

Shortly after the failed attempt, at around 5 p.m., Suffolk County Police caught up with the men on the corner of Rosevale and Richmond Boulevard and placed them under arrest. Further investigation revealed that the weapon used in the robbery was an air pellet gun. 

Nandin Muratagic, 23, of Ronkonkoma and Mark Butler, 23, also of Ronkonkoma are both being charged with 1st-degree Robbery. Both were arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip yesterday and held on $25,000 bond or $10,000 cash. Neither defendant has posted bail, according to the Unified Court System's database. 

*A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.