Police arrest pink-jumpsuit bandit

Lynbrook police arrested Robert King, 19, of Tredwell Avenue in Lynbrook, in connection with the robbery of a stationery store in Lynbrook on Aug. 26.

The robber was described as wearing a pink jumpsuit and a blond wig and carrying an off-white woman’s handbag. Police say the store clerk noticed the man’s dark hair underneath the wig.

According to police, the man entered C and R Stationery, at 146 Union Ave., at 1:25 p.m., brandished a gun and demanded cash. When the female store clerk was unable to open the register, the robber stole a Gatorade drink and ran off. He then hopped on a bicycle and fled northbound on Union Avenue.

“His disguise was comical,” said Nassau County Police Lt. Michael Fleming, “but he did have the potential for violence. He was seriously threatening the young lady.”

Fleming said that it is common for “stick-up” robbers to disguise themselves. He added that the surveillance footage from the store would help to identify the suspect.

Police said they believe King likely ducked into a nearby home or apartment after fleeing. They have not connected this incident with any other robberies.

King was arrested by Lynbrook Police on Aug. 27 at his residence, where a bicycle matching the description of the one that was used to flee from the crime scene was spotted by an LPD officer. The jumpsuit and wig were also recovered at his residence.

King was charged with first-degree robbery and was arraigned on Aug. 28 in First District Court in Hempstead.

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