A Thomaston man has been charged in three gas station and store robberies, two of which were armed robberies, in the past few months, according to county police.
According to detectives, Jonathan Barrientos, 28, was responsible for robberies of convenience stores and gas stations along Northern Boulevard, Middle Neck Road and North Central Avenue.
On Aug. 25 at 8 p.m., police said Barrientos entered a Shell gas station on Northern Boulevard in Great Neck and removed merchandise from the shelves before leaving without attempting to pay.
Almost two months later, police said, Barrientos carried out two armed robberies, the first taking place on Oct. 21 at 6:12 p.m.
According to police, he entered a news and convenience store in Great Neck Plaza and told a clerk that he was armed with a gun and wanted the money in the cash register. Barrientos fled the store in an unknown direction, police said.
At 7:15 p.m., according to police, Barrientos entered the BP gas station on North Central Avenue in Valley Stream and pointed a handgun at a clerk. Officials said he instructed the clerk to give him the money in the register and fled on foot.
Police said Barrientos was arrested last Thursday. Police did not detail the evidence that led to his arrest.
A news release from the Police Department said Barrientos was charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree attempted robbery.
The news release said that Barrientos was arraigned last Friday at First District Court in Hempstead.
