Police: Merrick Road Pharmacist Shot At Robber

Story by Jaime Sumersille

A pharmacist who purchased a gun after two fatal pharmacy robberies on Long Island, including one in Seaford, used it to shoot at a robber Friday afternoon in nearby Bellmore, according to Nassau County police officials.

According to detectives, Marc S. Gumpert, 43, of Freeport entered Precision Pharmacy on 2711 Merrick Road and demanded Ritalin and Dilaudid. 

The pharmacist, a 34-year-old man, complied with Gumpert who then fled the store with the proceeds. 

The pharmacy owner, who has been identified by Newsday [paid link] as Richard Longo, followed Gumpert out of the store and observed him at his vehicle a 2011 Nissan Altima. 

Gumpert pulled a knife from his waistband and he took steps towards Longo. The victim was armed with a licensed revolver and fired once, which deflected off the ground and struck the rear tire of Gumpert’s car. 

Gumpert entered his car and fled northbound on Bedford Avenue.

He was later arrested in Freeport without incident and the proceeds were recovered. There were no injuries reported.

An employee at Texicana Grill, located next door to the pharmacy, told Patch they heard "one or two shots...fired." The eatery was not affected during the robbery.

Gumpert is charged with first-degree robbery and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He will be arraigned on June 15.