LI man indicted for knifepoint kidnapping and robbery

EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A Long Island man was indicted for a knifepoint kidnapping and robbery earlier this month, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Wednesday.

Darius Petty, 34, of East Hampton, was arraigned Wednesday for kidnapping, robbery, and attempted robbery.

According to the investigation, at approximately 6:42 p.m. on Sept. 3, Petty allegedly approached three young men in a parking lot at the East Hampton Town Senior Center.

The victims were parked inside a vehicle when Petty allegedly asked if he could use one of their cell phones. They obliged and after using a phone, Petty allegedly brandished a knife, held it to the driver’s throat and demanded money from all the men, officials said.

When the victim was unsuccessful in retrieving cash, Petty ordered the driver to take him to another bank in East Hampton Village.

Petty then allegedly forced the driver to withdraw $300 and took it from him then instructed the driver to bring him to Boatheaders Lane in East Hampton, where he exited the vehicle and fled with the cash and other belongings, authorities said.

Petty was taken into custody by the East Hampton Village Police on Sept. 4.

"The charges in this case stem from a deeply disturbing incident where the defendant allegedly approached the victims in a parking lot, threatened them with a knife, and allegedly forced one of the victims to withdraw $300 from an ATM," DA Tierney said.

"In Suffolk County, violent crimes will always be met with serious legal consequences," he added.

Petty is due back in court on Oct. 9 and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.