Kings Park Man Faces Up To 11 Years For Robbing 2 Flagstar Banks: DA

KINGS PARK, NY — A Kings Park man pleaded guilty to robbing two Flagstar Bank branches in Suffolk County two days apart and possessing cocaine when police arrested him after the second robbery, prosecutors said.

Brian Blackford, 51, pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of third-degree robbery and one count of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Friday.

Blackford is expected to be sentenced to 5 1/2 to 11 years in prison, prosecutors said.

According to court documents and Blackford’s admissions during his guilty plea, he first entered a Flagstar Bank in West Babylon at about 3:43 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2025.

Blackford walked up to a teller and handed her a note, prosecutors said. The teller gave him $1,400, and Blackford left the bank.

Police were called and launched an investigation.

Two days later, at about 12:45 p.m. on Dec. 10, Blackford entered a Flagstar Bank in Deer Park and handed a note to a teller, according to the DA’s office.

Blackford then pointed toward his waist, implying that he had a weapon, prosecutors said. The teller gave him $3,930 in cash before he left the bank.

Suffolk County detectives located Blackford later that day in Copiague and arrested him.

Police found Blackford with 2.35 grams of powder cocaine, $2,700 in stolen cash and a paper note that read, “give me $10,000 cash no funny business,” prosecutors said.

Blackford pleaded guilty Aug. 27 to two counts of third-degree robbery, Class D felonies, and one count of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, also a Class D felony.

He is scheduled to return to court Oct. 1 and is expected to be sentenced to 5 1/2 to 11 years in prison, prosecutors said.

Blackford is represented by attorney Chris Cassar, who was not available for comment.

“This defendant walked into two banks, made a threat and walked out with stolen cash,” Tierney said. “Bank employees should never have to fear for their lives while simply doing their jobs. This defendant terrorized hardworking staff and now faces up to 11 years in prison for his criminal actions.”