Police: Man Arrested After Robbing Patchogue Gas Station

A Selden man faces robbery charges after he robbed a gas station in Patchogue right after he tried to rob a Patchogue liquor store Friday night, police said.

According to police, Michael Ward, 48, entered Main Street Wines and Liquors, located at 333 Main Street, and with his hand hidden in his sweatshirt pocket, demanded money from an employee at about 8:15 p.m.

The employee picked up a baseball bat and chased Ward out of the store, police said. Ward did not receive any cash, police said.

About five minutes later, Ward entered the Hess gas station, located at 113 Route 112, and with his hand under his shirt, demanded cash from an employee, who complied and gave Ward cash from the register, police said.

Ward fled in a white SUV, but was arrested a short time later by Fifth Precinct patrol officers, police said.

Ward is charged with third degree robbery and third degree attempted robbery. He is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Saturday.