WEST BABYLON, NY – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Brian Blackford, 51, of Kings Park, has been indicted on multiple felony charges, including Robbery in the Third Degree, for allegedly stealing more than $4,000 during two separate bank robberies at Flagstar Bank branches in Suffolk County. Blackford was also charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree after allegedly being found in possession of cocaine at the time of his arrest.
Bank robberies place bank employees, customers, and responding officers at serious risk,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thanks to the swift and coordinated efforts of the Suffolk County Police Department, this defendant was quickly apprehended and will now be held accountable for his alleged actions.”
According to the investigation, on December 8, 2025, at approximately 3:43 p.m., Blackford allegedly entered a Flagstar Bank branch in West Babylon, approached a teller, and handed her a threatening note demanding money. The teller allegedly complied, and Blackford fled the bank with approximately $1,400.
Two days later, on December 10, 2025, at approximately 12:45 p.m., while police were still investigating the first robbery, Blackford allegedly entered a second Flagstar Bank location in Deer Park. Investigators say he again passed a note to a teller and gestured toward his waistband, implying that he was armed. The teller surrendered additional cash.
Later that same day, Suffolk County detectives located Blackford in Copiague and placed him under arrest. At the time of his arrest, Blackford was allegedly in possession of powder cocaine, a handwritten note stating, “give me $10,000 cash no funny business,” and more than $2,700 in cash.
On December 23, 2025, Blackford was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Philip Goglas on the following charges:
- Two counts of Robbery in the Third Degree – Class D felonies
- Grand Larceny in the Third Degree – Class D felony
- Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree – Class E felony
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree – Class D felony
- Resisting Arrest – Class A misdemeanor
Justice Goglas ordered Blackford held on $250,000 cash bail, $600,000 bond, or $2.5 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Blackford is scheduled to return to court on January 27, 2026. If convicted on the top counts for each incident, he faces a potential sentence of 3.5 to 7 years in state prison.
Key Facts and Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Brian Blackford |
| Age | 51 |
| Residence | Kings Park, New York |
| Incident Dates | December 8, 2025; December 10, 2025 |
| First Robbery Location | Flagstar Bank, West Babylon |
| First Robbery Time | Approximately 3:43 p.m. |
| Amount Taken (First Robbery) | Approximately $1,400 |
| Second Robbery Location | Flagstar Bank, Deer Park |
| Second Robbery Time | Approximately 12:45 p.m. |
| Method Alleged | Threatening note; gesture implying possession of a weapon |
| Total Amount Allegedly Stolen | More than $4,000 |
| Arrest Location | Copiague, New York |
| Evidence Recovered | Powder cocaine; handwritten demand note; more than $2,700 in cash |
| Arraignment Date | December 23, 2025 |
| Court | Suffolk County Supreme Court |
| Presiding Judge | Acting Supreme Court Justice Philip Goglas |
| Top Charges | Robbery in the Third Degree (2 counts) |
| Additional Charges | Grand Larceny 3rd Degree; Grand Larceny 4th Degree; Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5th Degree; Resisting Arrest |
| Bail Conditions | $250,000 cash / $600,000 bond / $2.5 million partially secured bond |
| Next Court Date | January 27, 2026 |
| Potential Sentence | Up to 3.5 to 7 years in state prison if convicted on top counts |
| Case Status | Pending |
