Hauppauge, NY - January 12, 2016 - Suffolk County Police today arrested a man who forcibly removed a woman from her car and stole property from her as she was waiting at a red light in Hauppauge this morning.

A female motorist was on her way to work, and exited the Long Island Expressway at exit 56, Expressway Drive North, at approximately 8:50 a.m.  While she was stopped at a red traffic light on Route 111 a man who was walking in the roadway suddenly opened the passenger door to her car and jumped into the front seat.  The man then stole belongings from the motorist, which the motorist fought to recover.  The man then got out through the passenger door, walked to the driver’s side of the car, opened the door and dragged the woman from the car onto the pavement.  The suspect entered the vehicle on the driver’s side and took more property, which the woman again fought to retain. The suspect then ran from the scene when other people began to approach to aid the motorist.

Patrol officers that responded to the scene broadcasted a description of the suspect while other officers searched the area.  Approximately 10 minutes later, police located the suspect, Richard Clinton nearby at Joshua’s Path and Motor Parkway in Hauppauge.  Clinton, 34, last known address of Medford, was arrested and transported to Southside Hospital in in Bay Shore, for the effects of narcotic drug use.  He is being charged with Robbery 2^nd Degree, Resisting Arrest, and three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7^th Degree.

Clinton is in the hospital and will be arraigned at a later time.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact the Fourth Squad at Squad at 631-854-8452.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.