Crime & Safety
Police Make Arrest in Bevacqua's Deli Armed Robbery
The 35 year-old Middletown man accused of the crime is also facing armed robbery charges in Staten Island, as well as drug possession charges.
Middletown Police have arrested a township man they believe is responsible for the armed robbery of Bevacqua's Deli.
Michael Crupi, 35, from Linden Avenue in Middletown was charged with the March 25 crime on Wednesday.
Det. Laurence Schachtel of the Middletown Police Department led the investigation linking Crupi to the robbery, in which Crupi reportedly pointed a gun at the owner, Peter Patel, demanded cash of his Patel's wife at the register, and took off with $500, according to police.
Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Schachtel was contacted by New York City Police Detectives assigned to the 123rd Precinct who had seen a suspect flier the detective had sent.
Crupi fit the description of a suspect who committed two armed robberies in Staten Island, one of a Game Stop Store and the other of a bakery, according to Middletown Police.
Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Det. Schachtel and the New York City Police detectives worked together and linked Crupi to the two robberies in Staten Island, said Det. Lt. Stephen Dollinger.
Det. Schachtel charged Crupi with robbery, theft, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
He was also charged with possession of heroin, unlawful possession of suboxone, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a hypodermic syringe which was found in his possession when he was arrested at his home, police said.
Police also seized proceeds from the Staten Island robberies as well as the Chevy Malibu he allegedly drove to commit the robberies.
Crupi was also charged with two counts of armed robbery in New York City, according to Middletown Police. He was being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, NJ, on $355,000 bail set by Judge John Mullaney of the Monmouth County Superior Court.
On April 11, Crupi was arrested by Det. Laurence Schachtel on charges of possession of crack cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was indicted for possession of heroin with intent to distribute in Tinton Falls .
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
