Duo Charged With Gas Station Robbery Spree Across Suffolk: PD

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - Two people were charged on Wednesday in connection to multiple armed robberies reported across Suffolk County in the past two months, according to Suffolk Police.

Police say 18-year-old Jhan Carlos Fernandez Espinal, of Copiague committed eight robberies at gas stations in October and November while 20-year-old Marta Rafalko, of West Babylon was allegedly found to be involved in four of the eight robberies.

Following an investigation, the two were arrested in the parking lot of Ultra Gas Station on 571 West Montauk Highway in Lindenhurst at 3 p.m., police said.

According to police, Fernandez Espinal is accused of robbing the following gas stations:

• USA Gasoline on 188 N Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst on October 2 at 9:55 p.m.
• BP on 1235 Route 231 in North Babylon on October 5 at 12:10 a.m.
• Shell on 958 Montauk Highway in West Islip on October 5 at 2:25 a.m.
• Valero on 355 Bay Shore Road in Deer Park on October 20 at 8 p.m.
• USA Gasoline on 188 N Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst on October 28 at 7:37 p.m.
• Exxon on 570 Sunrise Highway in West Islip on October 28 at 11:30 p.m.
• Gulf on 86 Sunrise Highway in Lindenhurst on November 1 at 11:15 a.m.
• Ok Petroleum on 569 Route 109 in West Babylon on November 6 at 12:53 p.m.

Rafalko was found to be allegedly involved in the last four robberies on October 28, November 1 and November 6, police said.

She was charged with four counts of first degree robbery.

Fernandez Espinal was charged with seven counts of first degree robbery and one count of third degree robbery for the incident at BP on October 5, police said.

He was held overnight at the First Precinct while Rafalko was held overnight at the Fourth Precinct.

Both are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Thursday.