Police: Armed Robbery Suspect Stopped By Customers At Bar In Holbrook

HOLBROOK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in Suffolk County say a masked man armed with a knife was stopped by several customers as he tried to rob a bar in Holbrook.

It happened Sunday night at the Backporch bar on Grundy Avenue.

Just before midnight, the masked man walked in, went behind the bar and threatened a female employee with a knife and demanded money, police said.

She handed over some cash but was able to signal to another employee that was she was being robbed, police said.

As the suspect tried to leave, he was stopped by the bar owner and several patrons who held him there until police arrived.

Joseph Spevak, 32, was arrested and charged with robbery. Police said he had three knives and several hundred dollars in cash.

Spevak is due in court Monday.