An alert witness who observed a man running out of a CVS store in Mineola early Tuesday morning aided in the prompt arrest of that man on charges of robbing the CVS, Nassau County Police report.
Detectives of the 3rd Squad said Peter Deverna, 57, of 211 Pershing Parkway in Mineola entered the CVS store at 17 East Jericho Turnpike in Mineola on Tuesday, April 30 at 1:05 a.m. Detectives said Deverna approached a 29-year-old male cashier and demanded money. After obtaining an undetermined amount of cash, police said Deverna fled the scene on foot southbound on Roslyn Road.
A witness in the CVS parking lot saw a man running from the store, followed him, saw him get on a bicycle at Washington Avenue and Roslyn Road and observed him entering his house a short distance away. The witness then flagged down a police car cruising the area in search of the suspect and told the police officers what he had just seen.
Third Squad detectives and 3rd Precinct police officers subsequently arrested Deverna at his residence at without incident.
Deverna was charged with robbery 1st degree and was arraigned at 1st District Court in Hempstead on April 30.
