Alleged robber arrested after running toward cop Sayreville man, 37, charged in purse theft, store robbery BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer SAYREVILLE - A borough man has been charged with robbery after being caught by an officer who police say was in the right place at the right time. The suspect, Daniel Blazas, 37, of Outlook Avenue, who was wanted in connection with a convenience store robbery, was arrested at 3:19 p.m. Friday after he allegedly stole a purse from a woman outside the ShopRite at Ernston and Washington roads, according to Detective Mathew Bandurski of the Sayreville Police Department. Patrolman Henry Wortley had been patrolling around the high school and Kennedy Park when he heard a crossing guard yelling that somebody stole a pocketbook and was running in the officer's direction, according to Bandurski. Wortley then noticed the man walking at a fast pace with a black purse under his arm. The officer got out of his car and ordered the suspect to stop, but, police said, Blazas refused to comply. "At that point, Officer Wortley tackled the individual, and a scuffle ensued," Bandurski said. "Detective Lieutenant [Timothy] Brennan assisted Officer Wortley with apprehending the suspect." Police reportedly recovered cocaine, heroin and syringes from Blazas after they handcuffed him. Blazas had allegedly hidden the narcotics in his shoes and pockets. "A large amount of narcotics were located on the person," Bandurski said. "They located the victim's checkbook in his back pocket." Neither the officers nor Blazas required medical attention after the struggle, police said. Blazas allegedly stole the purse from a 50-year-old woman in front of ShopRite. He was charged with theft, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a syringe and hypodermic needle, possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to distribute, posses- sion of narcotics within a school zone, and manufacturing charges, all in connection with Friday's incident. At the time of his arrest, Blazas was wanted in connection with an armed robbery at the Stop 'N Go convenience store on Pulaski Avenue near Main Street last week. Blazas allegedly robbed the convenience store on Pulaski Avenue at 7 p.m. Dec. 12. Police allege that he tried to steal lottery tickets, then went around the cashier's desk and pointed a handgun at the worker. The suspect allegedly ordered the employee, who was the only other person in the business at the time, to give him cash from the lottery machine. He then fled the scene with the money, police said. "He took the proceeds from the lottery," Bandurski said. Blazas was charged with armed robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon in the Stop 'N Go incident. Police, led by Detectives Richard Belotti and Russell Anderson, used information and surveillance footage from the convenience store to identify Blazas as the suspect in that robbery, prior to his being arrested Friday, according to Bandurski. Blazas is not suspected in another recent armed robbery that took place at the Quick Chek convenience store on Main Street last week, Bandurski said. Blazas has an arrest record that goes back nine years, according to Bandurski. Lt. Michael Burns, who is now a captain, charged Blazas in 1999 with receiving stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia, terroristic threats and armed robbery at the Amboy National Bank on Washington Road in Sayreville. Blazas ultimately served three years for the bank robbery, Bandurski said. Detective Sgt. Raymond Szkodny arrested Blazas on a contempt of court charged in 2001, Bandurski said, and this year Patrolman Jason Mader charged Blazas with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of a hypodermic needle on Sept. 21. Blazas is being held without bail at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick, in connection with the Stop 'N Go robbery. His bail related to the purse-snatching allegations was set at $100,000.