STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A Great Kills man stole an SUV and brandished a hunting knife while trying to rob Domino’s Pizza, Dunkin’ Donuts and Stop & Shop locations in a four-day crime, authorities allege.
Then, when cops caught up with Joseph Bianchino, 34, of Exeter Street, and tried to pull him over, he struck an officer with the stolen car, police say.
The crime spree — which prompted a request from the NYPD for tips — began when Bianchino stole a parked, gray 2008 Nissan Pathfinder from Mills Avenue near Cedar Avenue in South Beach sometime between Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and the following morning, the criminal complaint alleges.
“I go checking door handles of cars,” the complaint quotes Bianchino as saying to police. “I went there to warm up. I found an extra key for the vehicle in the glove compartment and I drive away with the vehicle.”
The store heists allegedly began on Thursday, Feb. 4, at about 12 a.m. at Domino’s Pizza at 25 Victory Blvd. in Tompkinsville.
Authorities allege that Bianchino had a hunting knife in his hand when he said, “Just give me the money. I don’t want to hurt you.”
He received cash and then fled, according to the criminal complaint.
Authorities allege that on Friday at about 4:15 p.m., Bianchino entered the Dunkin’ Donuts at 1351 Forest Ave. in Port Richmond, approached the counter, brandished the hunting knife and said to the sales attendant, “I have a knife. I don’t want to use it. Open the drawer and give me the f—— money.”
Bianchino left without any loot, but the complaint alleges he later admitted the incident to police.
Less than an hour later, around 5 p.m., Bianchino allegedly appeared inside a Stop & Shop store at 1441 Richmond Ave. in Graniteville.
“Give me the money in your register,” Bianchino allegedly said to an attendant before leaving the store empty handed.
The suspect drove away from grocery store in the stolen Pathfinder, according to police.
Bianchino entered a Dunkin’ Donuts at 77 Richmond Hill Road in New Springville about a half hour later, around 5:30 p.m., police say.
He approached the counter, displayed the knife and said to the sales attendant, “Take the money out of the f—–g register,” the complaint alleges. The sales attendant complied.
Police said they were seeking the operator of a stolen Nissan Pathfinder, in connection with the incidents. (Courtesy of NYPD)
ARRESTED SATURDAY
Bianchino was arrested while driving the Nissan Pathfinder at the corner of St. Mary’s Avenue and Oak Street in Rosebank on Saturday around 11:25 a.m., police said.
A K-9 unit officer was trying to pull over the car when she was hit by the driver’s side door as Bianchino fled, the complaint alleges.
When cops caught up with him, they found a cocaine pipe in Bianchino’s backpack, which was inside the SUV, police say.
The officer suffered injuries including substantial pain, cuts, bruises, and swelling to the left side of the body requiring medical treatment at a hospital.
The suspect’s license was suspended or revoked prior to his alleged crime wave, according to the complaint.
CHARGES
For the incidents at the stores, Bianchino has been charged with robbery, attempted robbery, grand larceny and petit larceny and his bond has been set at $150,000.
Regarding the car stop, he was charged with assault, criminal possession of stolen property, obstructing governmental administration, unauthorized use of a vehicle, criminal possession of a controlled substance, reckless endangerment, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and harassment.
The suspect is due back in Criminal Court on Thursday in both cases, according to public records.
His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
— to www.silive.com
