State Police arrest Pennsylvania man after armed robbery at a Sunoco gas station in the town of Wallkill

New York – An early morning robbery at a Wallkill gas station ended with the swift arrest of a Pennsylvania man on Thursday, according to the New York State Police. Authorities say the suspect, identified as 20-year-old Connor J. Derrick of Archbald, Pennsylvania, is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, along with a fugitive from justice charge connected to an outstanding warrant in his home state.

The incident unfolded on August 14, 2025, at approximately 6:16 a.m., when Derrick allegedly entered the Sunoco Station at 2 Ben Gilman Way in the town of Wallkill. Investigators say that once inside, Derrick approached the store clerk, displayed a firearm, and demanded cash from the register. The clerk complied, and Derrick fled the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.

Troopers responded immediately, launching a search of the surrounding area. Within a short period of time, they located Derrick outside a 2006 GMC parked in the lot of 25 Crystal Run Crossing. Police say Derrick was taken into custody without incident. During the arrest, troopers discovered that the vehicle contained an illegally possessed assault rifle, which authorities allege belonged to Derrick.

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The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at State Police Middletown announced the arrest later that day, detailing the charges Derrick now faces:

• Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a class A misdemeanor
• Menacing in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor

In addition to the New York charges, Derrick was also charged as a Fugitive from Justice due to the outstanding Pennsylvania warrant. Police have not released details about the nature of the Pennsylvania warrant.

Following his arrest, Derrick was arraigned in the City of Middletown Court. The judge ordered him held at the Orange County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond for the local charges. As a fugitive from justice, Derrick was also remanded with no bail. He is scheduled to reappear in the Town of Wallkill Court on August 20, 2025.

The New York State Police credited the cooperation of local law enforcement agencies in bringing the situation to a quick resolution. The Town of Wallkill Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office both assisted at the scene, helping secure the area and coordinate the response.

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The arrest has raised concerns among residents, who were alarmed to learn that an armed suspect was in the area during the early morning hours. While police did not report any injuries in the incident, the presence of both a handgun during the robbery and an assault rifle in the suspect’s vehicle has underscored the seriousness of the case.

State Police say the investigation remains active, and additional details about Derrick’s activities prior to the robbery, as well as the circumstances of his arrival in New York, may be released in the coming days.

For now, authorities say the quick response and coordinated law enforcement effort prevented further danger to the public. As the legal process moves forward, Derrick faces the possibility of significant prison time if convicted of the most serious charges against him.