Man charged in Lynbrook cross-dresser robbery

By NOMAAN MERCHANT AND KEITH HERBERT

A man who police said donned a blond wig, pink jumpsuit and a handbag to disguise himself as a woman was arraigned on armed robbery charges Saturday in Hempstead.

Robert King, 19, of Lynbrook, was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail after he appeared in First District Court.

Outside the courtroom, his mother, Gerri King, sobbed as she accused another person of committing the robbery and leaving the clothes at King's house.
"Robbie is very gullible and naive, and will do anything," she said.
Gerri King said her son had been addicted to drugs but was scheduled to start a treatment program Monday.

"I don't know what to do, but I've been trying my hardest to make him better," she said.

Nassau County police said that on Thursday at about 1:25 p.m., King - dressed as a woman - entered the C & R Stationery Store at 146 Union Ave. in Lynbrook. Police said he pulled a handgun from the off-white purse he carried and demanded money. The store clerk was unable to get cash from the store register, and King allegedly grabbed a bottle of Gatorade, worth $1.50, and fled the store, according to police.

King was last seen fleeing north on Union Avenue riding a light-colored girl's bicycle, police said.

Police said they made the arrest after a Lynbrook police officer noticed a girl's bicycle similar to the one used in the robbery in the driveway of King's Lynbrook home.

King's next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 31.

By By NOMAAN MERCHANT AND KEITH HERBERT
Posted Saturday, August 28, 2010

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