Man on Drugs Drags Woman From Car, Robs Her on LIE Service Road: Police

HAUPPAUGE, NY- A woman stopped at a traffic light on the Long Island Expressway service road was dragged from her car and robbed by a man high on drugs who was arrested shortly after the incident Tuesday morning, Suffolk Police said.

According to police, the woman was on her way to work when she exited the LIE at Exit 56 at about 8:50 a.m. While she was stopped at a red light at Route 111, a man who was walking in the roadway suddenly opened the passenger door to her car and jumped into the front seat, police said.

The man, later identified as 34-year-old Richard Clinton, then stole belongings from the woman, which the woman fought to recover, police said.

Clinton, whose last known address is 128 Norfleet Lane in Medford, then got out through the passenger door, walked to the driver’s side of the car, opened the door and dragged the woman from the car onto the pavement, police said.

Clinton entered the vehicle on the driver’s side and took more property, which the woman again fought to retain, police said.

Clinton then ran from the scene when other people began to approach to aid the woman, police said.

Patrol officers that responded to the scene broadcasted a description of the suspect while other officers searched the area. About 10 minutes later, Clinton was arrested nearby at Joshua’s Path and Motor Parkway in Hauppauge.

Clinton was transported to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore to be treated for the effects of narcotic drug use, police said.

He is charged with second degree robbery, resisting arrest and three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. He will be arraigned at a later date after being released from the hospital.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the robbery to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.