Riverhead Man Charged in Armed Robberies of Drug Store, Pizzeria

A 26-year-old Riverhead man was arrested Friday and charged with robbing two local businesses over the past week.

Brian Houpe Jr. was arrested by Riverhead Town Police at about 6:45 p.m. and charged with two counts of first degree robbery.

According to police, Houpe wore a mask and displayed a handgun while robbing Barth’s Drug Store, located at 32 East Main Street in Riverhead, on May 8. Four days later, police said Houpe entered Uncle Joe’s Pizza, located at 12 West Main Street in Riverhead, with a handkerchief covering his face. He demanded money while displaying a handgun, police said.

No injuries were reported in either robbery. Houpe was being held at police headquarters pending arraignment.

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