Crime & Safety

Patrons In Holbrook Bar Stop Would-Be Armed Robber

Police say man went behind bar and threatened female bartender with knife.

An alleged armed robber got more than he bargained for when he attempted to rob a Holbrook bar at knife point last night.

According to police, Joseph Spevak, 32, of Holbrook entered the Backporch Bar on Grundy Avenue in Holbrook wearing a mask at around midnight on Sunday. At the time the bar had been occupied with about 15 patrons.

Police say Spevak went behind the bar and threatened a female employee with a knife, demanding money. The woman complied with his demand but managed to signal a fellow employee that she was being robbed.

Find out what's happening in Sachemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The man tried to escape with the money but was stopped and held by the bar's owner and several patrons until police officers from the fifth precinct arrived.

When police took Spevak into custody they reportedly found three knives on his person and several hundred dollars in cash from the robbery attempt.

Find out what's happening in Sachemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Spevak, who lives on Coates Avenue in Holbrook, is being charged with first-degree robbery. He'll be arraigned today at First District Court in Central Islip.  

 

 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.