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Suspect Arrested In String Of Knifepoint Robberies In Queens, Long Island Due In Court

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A suspect accused of more than two dozen knifepoint robberies across Queens and Long Island is set to be arraigned on federal charges in Central Islip.

Khalif House, 24, is being held in Mineola but is scheduled to be transferred into federal custody Thursday morning. He was arrested Wednesday hiding behind a home in Floral Park. Charges against him are still pending.

Police said House is suspected of 27 robberies since March in Queens, Suffolk and Nassau counties.

Investigators said he used a butcher knife to threaten workers and steal money from fast food shops like Dunkin Donuts, Carvel and Subway, getting away with more than $3,600 in cash.

"It appears the suspect had a drug habit, perhaps heroin, and that may be a motivation for these robberies," said Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.

The most recent incident happened Tuesday night when police said House tried robbing a Dollar Tree in College Point, Queens where the clerk kicked him in the stomach.

House then made his way to Floral Park, where he allegedly broke into Bill O'Keefe's house.

"Came down bottom of my stairs, I look over and see someone moving on my couch," he said."  "He saw me, I saw him, he got up and ran out my living room to my dining room and out the back door."

An extensive manhunt involving local and federal law enforcement officers took place through the streets. Investigators finally arresting him in a parking lot on South Tyson Avenue after a local business owner recognized the suspect from "wanted" posters and screamed.

An alleged female accomplice was also arrested.

"We are confident that the two individuals in custody at this time are responsible for a good portion if not all of these cases," Nassau County Police Chief Steven Skrynecki said.

The woman is suspected of being House's getaway driver and was first picked up outside a Dunkin' Donuts in Little Neck on Wednesday night where police said she spilled the beans.

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