Police: 81-Year-Old Man Fights Off Robber at ATM

A Selden man was arrested Tuesday after he attempted to rob an 81-year-old man at an ATM, police said. 

According to police, Sixth Precinct officers responded to Independence Plaza, located on Route 25, at about 6:10 p.m. on Tuesday after a 911 caller reported a robbery. 

The 81-year-old man reported that he was attempting to retrieve cash from an ATM when a man grabbed the money and punched him, police said. 

The victim fought back, though, police said, and the suspect fled on foot with no proceeds.

After a notification was broadcast over the radio, a short time later, Sixth Precinct officer Michael Palumbo located a person matching the suspect’s description on Wyandotte Street in Selden, police said. 

Paul Rysanek, 21, was arrested and charged with third degree attempted robbery. He was scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on Wednesday. 

The investigation is continuing and police are asking anyone with information on the incident to call the Sixth Precinct at 631-854-8652 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.