Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced today that Darius Petty, 34, of East Hampton, has been indicted on three counts of Kidnapping in the Second Degree and other related charges for allegedly kidnapping and robbing three individuals at knifepoint.
“The charges in this case stem from a deeply disturbing incident where the defendant allegedly approached the victims in a parking lot, threatened them with a knife, and allegedly forced one of the victims to withdraw $300 from an ATM,” said District Attorney Tierney. “In Suffolk County, violent crimes will always be met with serious legal consequences.”
According to the investigation, on September 3, 2024, at approximately 6:42 p.m., Petty allegedly approached three young men in a parking lot at the East Hampton Town Senior Center. The victims were parked inside a vehicle when Petty allegedly asked if he could use one of their cell phones. After using a phone, Petty allegedly brandished a knife, held it to the driver’s throat, and demanded money from all the men.
Petty then allegedly entered the vehicle on the rear passenger side, held the knife to the front passenger’s throat, and demanded that the driver take him to an ATM machine at Damark’s Deli located at 331 Three Mile Harbor Road in East Hampton.
Once there, Petty allegedly forced one of the victims to retrieve cash from the ATM while still holding the others at knifepoint. When unsuccessful in retrieving cash, Petty ordered the driver to take him to another bank in East Hampton Village.
Petty then allegedly forced the driver to withdraw $300 and took it from him. He instructed the driver to bring him to Boatheaders Lane in East Hampton where he exited the vehicle and fled with cash and other belongings.
On September 4, 2024, Petty was taken into custody by East Hampton Village Police.
On September 18, 2024, Petty was arraigned before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei on charges including:
- Three counts of Kidnapping in the Second Degree (Class B violent felony)
- One count of Robbery in the First Degree (Class B violent felony)
- One count of Attempted Robbery in the First Degree (Class C violent felony)
Justice Mazzei ordered Petty held on $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond or $1 million partially secured bond during the pendency of his case.
Petty is due back in court on October 9, 2024. If convicted on all counts he faces up to 25 years in prison. He is being represented by John Halverson Esq.