Police: Ronkonkoma Man Robs 7-Eleven with Tree Branch

A Ronkonkoma man was arrested after he attempted to rob a 7-Eleven convenience store in Central Islip Thursday night, police said. 

Michael Zimmerman, 31, entered the 7-Eleven located on Carleton Avenue armed with a large tree branch at 11:30 p.m., police said.

According to police, he demanded money from the clerk and when the clerk refused, Zimmerman struck the employee with the tree branch several times.

The clerk fought off Zimmerman, who then ran out of the store to his motorcycle, which was parked in the lot, police said.

An off-duty Nassau County police officer was driving by when he observed the suspect being chased by the clerk and a small group of customers. 

The officer blocked the suspect’s motorcycle with his vehicle, subdued Zimmerman and held him until Suffolk police officers arrived. 

Zimmerman was charged with attempted first degree robbery and was scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip.