(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Brian Blackford, 51, of Kings Park, was indicted for Robbery in the Third Degree and other related charges, for allegedly stealing over $4,000 from two separate Flagstar bank branches in Suffolk County. Blackford was also charged with Criminal Possession in the Fifth Degree after allegedly being found in possession of cocaine at the time of his arrest.
“Bank robberies put employees, customers, and responding officers at serious risk,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thanks to the swift work of the Suffolk County Police Department, the defendant was apprehended and will now be held accountable for his alleged crimes.”
According to the investigation, on December 8, 2025, at approximately 3:43 p.m., Blackford allegedly entered a Flagstar Bank in West Babylon, walked up to a teller behind the counter, and handed her a threatening note. The teller then allegedly gave Blackford $1,400. On December 10, 2025, at approximately 12:45 p.m., while police were still investigating the first robbery, Blackford allegedly entered a Flagstar Bank in Deer Park, handed a note to a teller at that bank, and pointed to his waist, insinuating he had a weapon.
Hours after the second robbery was committed, Suffolk County detectives located Blackford in Copiague and arrested him. Upon arrest, Blackford was allegedly found with a quantity of powder cocaine, a paper note stating, “give me $10,000 cash no funny business,” and over $2,700 in cash.
On December 23, 2025, Blackford was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Philip Goglas for the following charges:
- Two counts of Robbery in the Third Degree, Class D felonies;
- One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Class D felony;
- One count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony;
- One count of Criminal Possession in the Fifth Degree, a Class D felony; and
- One count of Resisting Arrest, a Class A misdemeanor.
Justice Horowitz ordered Blackford held on $250,000 cash, $600,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Blackford is due back in court on January 27, 2026, and faces up to 3.5 to 7 years in prison if convicted of the top count for each incident. He is being represented by Chris Cassar, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Hector Laserna of the Narcotics Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Joseph Bianco of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Major Case Unit.