(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Michael Perko, 52, of Sayville, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to Robbery in the First Degree and other related charges, for committing and attempting to commit multiple armed robberies of convenience and liquor stores in Holtsville and Huntington Station in November 2025.
“This sentence reflects the serious harm that this defendant’s crime spree inflicted on businesses and families across Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “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.”
According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on November 11, 2025, at approximately 4:02 a.m., Perko, wearing a dark, multicolored ski mask, dark coat, and black gloves, entered a Holtsville gas station. Once inside, he pointed a rifle at the employee on duty and demanded money. When the employee threatened to call police, he left the gas station without obtaining any proceeds. The incident was reported to the Suffolk County Police Department.
Later that same day, at approximately 7:52 p.m., Perko entered a liquor store in Holtsville while holding a rifle. He pointed the rifle at the cashier and instructed him to empty the register. When the cashier said that the register only had a small amount of money available, Perko fled without any proceeds.
The following day, on November 12, 2025, at approximately 4:10 a.m., an employee at a Huntington Station 7-Eleven was standing behind the counter when Perko entered the store displaying a black rifle. He pointed it at the employee, handed him a bag, and demanded money, cigarettes, and lottery tickets. The employee complied with the demands before Perko fled.
Later that day, at approximately 9:39 p.m., police arrested Perko just as he was entering another 7-Eleven. Following his arrest, police recovered proceeds from Perko’s crime spree inside his vehicle, including lottery tickets, U.S. currency, cigarettes, a rifle, a cartridge, and a magazine.
On February 4, 2026, Perko pleaded guilty to one count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony, and two counts of Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, Class C felonies.
On March 11, 2026, Perko was sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. He was represented by Legal Aid Society.
This case was prosecuted by Keri Wasson of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detectives Joseph Bianco and Michael Stella of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Major Case Unit.
