Local police sergeant commended
Investigative work led to capture of ‘pink jumpsuit bandit’
Sergeant Daniel Dillon of the Lynbrook Police Department was one of 15 Nassau County police officers and 10 village officers honored by Supervisor Kate Murray and the Town of Hempstead at a ceremony on Sept. 20 at the Nathan L.H. Bennett Pavilion at Town Hall in Hempstead.
“Police officers in our town and villages make significant sacrifices every day to ensure our safety and maintain our peaceful neighborhoods,” Murray said. “When others are running away from danger, they run toward it, putting their lives on the line in pursuit of helping innocent bystanders and victims and pursuing criminals.”
As reported in the Herald last summer, on Aug. 26, 2010, a man wearing a pink jumpsuit and a blond wig, holding an off-white purse — and a silver handgun — entered C&R Stationery Store in Lynbrook and made off with a bottle of Gatorade. The firearm was evidence of “intent to harm,” according to police.
The man demanded money from the cashier, who was unable to open the register. The bandit then grabbed a bottle of the sports drink and was seen fleeing the scene northbound on Union Avenue on a light-colored bicycle. The cashier later told police he could see dark hair underneath the wig.
“His disguise was comical,” said Nassau County Police Lt. Michael Fleming, “but he did have the potential for violence. He was seriously threatening the [cashier].”
The subject, identified as Robert King, 19, was home at the time and admitted to Dillon that he had committed the robbery. He was placed under arrest.
Fleming said that it is common for “stick-up” robbers to disguise themselves. The jumpsuit and wig were recovered at King’s residence.
“Because of Sergeant Dillon’s investigation and quick thinking, the robber was caught and a dangerous weapon removed from Lynbrook’s streets,” said Murray. “We are proud to present him with the 2011 Town of Hempstead Police Service Award.”
Clarissa Hamlin and Andrew Hackmack contributed to this story.
