Rifle-Wielding Robbery Spree At LI Stores Lands Sayville Man 12 Years: DA

SAYVILLE, NY — A Sayville man was sentenced to 12 years in prison after admitting he carried out a robbery spree targeting convenience and liquor stores in Holtsville and Huntington Station in November 2025, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Michael Perko, 52, pleaded guilty in February to one count of first-degree robbery and two counts of attempted first-degree robbery, prosecutors said.

On March 11, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision, the DA’s office said.

According to prosecutors and court records, Perko committed or attempted 3 armed robberies over a roughly 42-hour period, using a rifle to threaten store employees during each incident.

Prosecutors said the first attempted robbery happened on Nov. 11, 2025, at about 4:02 a.m. at a Holtsville gas station. Perko, wearing a dark multicolored ski mask, dark coat, and black gloves, went inside and pointed a rifle at the employee on duty while demanding money, according to court documents and Perko’s admissions during his guilty plea.

When the worker threatened to call the police, Perko left without taking anything, prosecutors said.

Later that same day, at about 7:52 p.m., Perko entered a Holtsville liquor store holding a rifle and pointed it at the cashier, ordering him to empty the register, according to the DA’s office.

When the cashier told him there was only a small amount of money in the register, Perko fled again without any proceeds, prosecutors said.

The next robbery happened early on Nov. 12, 2025, at about 4:10 a.m. at a 7-Eleven in Huntington Station, according to prosecutors.

The DA’s office said an employee was behind the counter when Perko entered, displaying a black rifle. He pointed it at the worker, handed over a bag, and demanded money, cigarettes, and lottery tickets, prosecutors said. The employee complied before Perko fled the store.

Authorities said Perko was arrested later that same day at about 9:39 p.m., just as he was entering another 7-Eleven.

After his arrest, police recovered proceeds from the robbery spree inside Perko’s vehicle, including lottery tickets, cash, cigarettes, a rifle, a cartridge and a magazine, according to prosecutors.

Perko pleaded guilty on Feb. 4 to first-degree robbery, a Class B violent felony, and 2 counts of attempted first-degree robbery, Class C felonies, the DA’s office said.

He was represented by the Legal Aid Society, according to prosecutors, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“This sentence reflects the serious harm that this defendant’s crime spree inflicted on businesses and families across Suffolk County,” Tierney said. “No community should have to live with the fear that their neighborhood stores will be targeted by an armed offender. These robberies erode the sense of safety and stability that our residents and business owners depend on every day. Thanks to the quick work of Suffolk County police officers, this defendant was caught before anyone was hurt.”