Police nab duo after pair of Coram robberies

“If at first you don’t succeed, try again” must have been the mantra for the men accused of attempting to rob two gas stations within 15 minutes on June 6.

The Suffolk County Police Department said in a statement that 27-year-olds Tony Taddonio, of Medford, and Michael Iovino, of Islip, were arrested and charged with second-degree attempted robbery and second-degree robbery for their alleged spree on Saturday night in Coram.

Taddonio allegedly entered a Sunoco gas station on Route 112 at approximately 6 p.m., armed with what appeared to be a handgun, and attempted to hold up the clerk. However, after the clerk grabbed a stick kept behind the counter, Taddonio fled to a 2003 Acura allegedly driven by Iovino.

Fifteen minutes later, police said, the men tried their luck a second time. Taddonio allegedly entered a Mobil gas station on Middle Country Road, held up the clerk and fled with approximately $350.

A 6th Precinct officer, Francesco Saracino, was searching the area for the suspects, when he stopped the duo on Route 112 at about 6:50 p.m.

Police said cash and a BB gun were recovered.

The men were arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip on June 7. According to online court records, Taddonio was released on $20,000 bond bail and Iovino was released on $30,000 bond bail.

Attorneys for Taddonio and Iovino could not immediately be reached for comment.