Overview

• Police say the 71-year-old had just received a large cash payout at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel in Islandia around 3:40 p.m. Sunday when he was approached in the parking lot.
• Aaron Hayes, 24, allegedly reached into the victim’s pocket and took a small amount of cash, then returned, knocked him down and rifled through his coat pockets.
• Two Good Samaritans intervened, prompting the suspect to abandon the attempt and flee to his car.
• Officers later arrested Hayes outside his home in Port Jefferson Station; he was charged with third-degree robbery, arraigned Monday, and released without bail after pleading not guilty.
• Police said the victim was not injured and asked anyone with information to call Suffolk County Police at 631-854-8452.