Cops: Man cuts self during knifepoint robbery of Bellport deli
Joseph Pittman, 34 of Central Islip, was charged with multiple offenses after police said he robbed a Bellport deli at knifepoint. (March 24, 2013) Credit: SCPD
A Central Islip man was arrested Saturday after he robbed a deli at knifepoint in Bellport, Suffolk County police said.
Police said Joseph Pittman, 34, went to the Bellport Deli & Grocery at 1769 Montauk Hwy. around 5 p.m. Saturday. Pittman, who had a knife, threatened a female employee and demanded food before cutting himself in front of the employee and stealing items from the counter, police said.
When police arrived, officers found Pittman in the parking lot trying to drive away. As they approached, Pittman began brandishing the knife and threatened to hurt himself, police said, but officers subdued Pittman with Tasers. He was arrested and the knife was taken away, police said.
Pittman was taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue, where he was treated for minor injuries.
He is charged with first-degree robbery, resisting arrest, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence. He was scheduled to be arraigned on Sunday at First District Court in Central Islip.
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