Police: Man Robbed Gas Station, Tried To Rob Liquor Store In Patchogue

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A man was in court on robbery charges Saturday, after allegedly trying to hold up a liquor store, and then robbing a gas station, in Patchogue, Long Island.

On Friday evening, Michael Ward, 48, allegedly walked into the Main Street Wines and Liquors store, at 333 Main St. in Patchogue, Suffolk County police said. With his hand in his sweat shirt, he demanded money from an employee, police said.

But the employee picked up a baseball bat and chased the suspect out of the store around 8:15 p.m., police said.

Ward then allegedly entered the Hess gas station at 113 Route 112 in Patchogue, and again with his hand under his shirt, he allegedly demanded cash from an employee, police said. This time, the employee complied and handed over an undisclosed sum from the register around 8:20 p.m., police said.

Ward fled in a white-sport utility vehicle, but police soon caught up to him and arrested him on robbery and attempted robbery charges, police said.

Ward, of Selden, was due to be arraigned in Suffolk County First District Court in Central Islip on Saturday.