A homeless man and his girlfriend were arrested yesterday on charges of kidnapping and committing armed robberies in the Smithtown and Central Islip areas earlier this week, Suffolk County police said.
According to Fourth Precinct detectives, Michael Leto, 19, who is believed to be homeless, robbed two victims at a Nesconset Taco Bell Thursday, Feb. 25, then forced them by gun point to drive him to pick up his girlfriend, Catherine Andes, 26, of Lisa Court, Nesconset, after becoming upset they only had $2 on them.
After picking up Andes, the victims were then forced to drive to a Getty Gas Station in Central Islip, where Leto forced one of them to assist him in the armed robbery of the station.
Third Precinct Police Officers Brian Grenz and Ryan Neems arrested Leto and Andes at the Townhouse Motor Inn in Smithtown Friday afternoon. Andes had outstanding warrants for 2nd Degree Burglary and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property.
Leto admitted to the officers that he had committed the robbery of the Getty Gas Station in Central Islip. He later admitted to Fourth Precinct detectives that he had committed another robbery that took place at the Sunoco Gas Station in Smithtown on Wednesday, Feb. 24, police said.
Leto was charged with 2nd Degree Kidnapping, 2nd Degree Menacing and three counts of 1st Degree Robbery. In addition to her two outstanding warrants, Andes was charged with 2nd Degree Kidnapping and 1st Degree Robbery.
Both were held overnight and will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip Saturday, Feb. 27.
