Nassau Man Charged In Three Robberies, Attacking Officer: Police

A North Massapequa man was arrested after police say he jumped the counter at a local pharmacy and threatened the pharmacist in order to gain access to the safe, and then later assaulted a police officer. Police say he was also responsible for two other robberies in the area.

According to police, Paul Defilippis, 32, of Magnolia Drive, entered the CVS Pharmacy at 20 Broadway around 2:45 p.m. on Dec. 22. He milled around the store for about two hours, police said. Around 4:45 p.m., police say Defilippis jumped the counter at the pharmacy and told the 35-year-old female pharmacist that he had a gun, though he did not show one. Defilippis demanded the woman opened the safe, police said, and fearing for her life, she did. Defilippis stole controlled substances from the safe, police said, and then fled the store through the back door.

There were 10 customers and 10 employees in the store at the time of the robbery. No one was injured.

Police say that officers later located Defilippis in front of a home on Ocean Avenue, where he refused to follow officers' commands and resisted arrest. He was eventually taken into custody. During his arrest processing, police say Defilippis became uncooperative and charged a detective, and a struggle ensued.

Defilippis is charged with third-degree robbery, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration. He is scheduled to be arraigned today in First District Court in Hempstead.

In addition, police charged Defilippis in connection with two other robberies in Massapequa.

On Aug. 10 at 1:40 a.m., police say he robbed a Conoco gas station at 1000 Hicksville Road by displaying a knife at the employee and then fleeing. For that crime, Defilippis is charged with first-degree robbery and criminal possession of a weapon.

On Oct. 7 at 1:04 a.m., police say he entered the 7-Eleven at 4222 Sunrise Highway with a knife, jumped the counter and tried to use the knife to pry open the register. When that didn't work, police say Defilippis threw the register the floor, which caused it to open. He took the cash and then fled, police said. He is charged with first-degree robbery and criminal possession of a weapon.