Suspect in fatal hit and run at Long Island gas station surrenders

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Saturday, January 19, 2019
Suspect in fatal hit and run at Long Island gas station surrenders
Stacey Sager has the latest on the fatal hit and run at a South Hempstead gas station.

SOUTH HEMPSTEAD, Long Island (WABC) -- The suspect wanted in connection with the deadly hit and run of a Long Island gas station employee over $22 worth of gas has surrendered to police in Pennsylvania.

Cemal Dagdeviren was killed Monday morning outside the gas station on Grand Avenue in South Hempstead.

Authorities on Thursday identified the suspect as Joshua Roston, who turned himself in just outside Philadelphia overnight Friday.

Roston was allegedly trying to flee without paying after receiving $22 in gas when Dagdeviren, an auto mechanic, went to help out the gas attendant and stood in front of the car.

That is when the 59-year-old was run over. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Roston, 33, is expected to be charged with murder.

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder thanked the public for paying close attention when they put out Roston's photo.

"Absolutely incredible, the amount of tips that came in here," he said. "Crucial to us solving and locating the individual. It's a big world out there."

Tips first helped them recover Roston's vehicle, which had no plates yet was somehow able to get all the way to Avondale, Pennsylvania, until it ran out of gas or broke down.

"Joshua Roston felt the pressure," county executive Laura Curran said. "It was out on social media. His face was out there. His name was out there."

Detectives request anyone with information to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

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