Mahopac man jailed for pulling knife while trying to rob Yorktown Mobil station

Solid detective work — which included a turn to social media — helped police identify and track down Paul Recchia as the alleged perpetrator and put him behind bars pending trial. 

According to the Yorktown police, officers responded to a report of a robbery in progress at the Mobil station at 3205 Crompond Road just before midnight on Tuesday, March 4. When they arrived, they learned that the suspect had already taken off on foot after allegedly pulling a knife on the store clerk and demanding cash. The clerk activated an alarm, which likely spooked Recchia and sent him running without getting any money.  

Yorktown police said officers searched the area with help from Westchester County police and a K-9 unit but were unable to locate the suspect.  

Yorktown Police Chief Robert Noble told Yorktown News that Detective James Hannigan reviewed video footage of vehicle activity in the area and identified a suspect vehicle. Upon determining the vehicle's owner — who was not the suspect — Hannigan turned to social media. Using this resource, the detective successfully identified Recchia and ultimately made the arrest. 

“Intelligent and resourceful police work once again demonstrated by Detective Hannigan,” Noble said.  

He thanked Carmel police as well as the county and state police whose work, he said, led to the arrest. 

Bail was set at $50,000, which Yorktown police said Recchia was unable to post.  

He was remanded to the Westchester County Jail. The Court Clerk at the Yorktown Justice Court told Yorktown News that Recchia did show at his March 13 appearance and he is due in court again on March 27. To the court’s knowledge, he remains in jail.  

Recchia was charged with first-degree attempted robbery, a class C felony, and two class A misdemeanors, including second-degree menacing and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.