Thief pushes woman into Peconic River, steals her stuff

A 29-year-old Holbrook woman was pushed into the Peconic River early Thursday by a man who then stole her belongings from a bench and fled the downtown area on foot, Riverhead police said.

Police were called about 3 a.m. Thursday to Grangebel Park, where the woman reported she had been robbed.

Investigators determined the suspect, described as black with short hair and about 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, had pushed the victim into the river and swiped her cell phone and cash from a nearby bench as she was getting out of the water.

But the woman tailed the suspect on foot up to Route 58, where she was able to retrieve “most of her belongings,” though the suspect fled on foot, police said.

A police K-9 unit was unable to locate the man, who was wearing black pants, a black shirt and black boots at the time.

The woman and the man had been hanging out together earlier that day, though there are no known suspects at this time, investigators said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 631-727-4500, ext. 332.