Crime & Safety

Crime Nearby: Pharmacist Opens Fire on Robber

Notable arrests and convictions around Long Island.

The following article was posted by Geoffrey Walter. It was written by Pam Robinson.

The 2011 Father’s Day murders of four people at a Medford pharmacy cast a spotlight on the epidemic of prescription drug theft across Long Island and gave pharmacy workers incentive to arm themselves. 

Nearly two years to the day, a Bellmore pharmacist fired shots at a would-be robber at Precision Pharmacy on Merrick Road Friday after a man demanded Ritalin and Dilaudid, Nassau County Police said.

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Marc S. Gumpert, 43, of Freeport, had his rear tire shot out and was later arrested by police. The charges include first-degree robbery and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Gumpert was arraigned over the weekend and held on $250,000 bail.  

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Handcuffed Man Recaptured

A handcuffed man escaped from the back of a police cruiser late Sunday night, leading officers on a five-hour manhunt through Smithtown streets.

Suffolk County police said officers were bringing a man to Stony Brook University Hospital for a mental evaluation when they came across a motor vehicle accident shortly before midnight on Sunday. The accident was at Nesconset Highway/Route 347 and Plaisted Avenue in Smithtown, ABC Local reported.

One officer got out of the police cruiser to set road flares while the other officer went to help those injured in the crash. The handcuffed man got out of the car and started running, they said.

The missing man was found by police at approximately 5 a.m. attempting to enter his home. Cops brought the man to Stony Brook University Hospital for a mental evaluation. 

Then man is not being charged for his escape as of Monday morning, police said.

Sea Doo’s and Don’ts

A man speeding on a jet ski through Reynolds Channel in Long Beach early Saturday night was later found with cocaine, according to the Nassau County Police Marine Bureau.

David Gotterup, 33, of Oceanside, was seen speeding on a 2012 Sea Doo Jet Ski on the bay between Long Beach and Island Park. When police officers attempted to stop Gotterup, he tossed a clear Zip-lock bag into the water, police said. The officers were able to recover the bag from the water, which contained a white substance believed to be cocaine.  

When police caught up with Gotterup, he was placed under arrest without incident. He was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance as well as numerous maritime boating violations.


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