Crime & Safety
Man Charged In Christmas Eve Armed Robbery At Outlets: Police
The 23-year-old and another man were accused of robbing the victim at knifepoint and slashing him in the face, police said.
DEER PARK, NY — A man was arrested in connection to a Christmas Eve armed robbery at the Tanger Outlets in Deer Park, according to Suffolk police.
Joel Mercado, 23, of Brooklyn and another man approached a 25-year-old man outside 1088 The Arches Circle at 5:20 p.m., police said.
The two pulled out knives and demanded items, police said. After a struggle, the 25-year-old man was slashed in the face, police said.
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Mercado and the other man fled with the victim’s wallet, cash and his backpack, police said. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Mercado was charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree assault. He will be held overnight at the First Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on December 25.
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Detectives are asking anyone with information on this incident to call the First Squad at 631-854-8152 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
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