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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, July 10, 2023

Brooklyn Men Arraigned on Indictment Charging Them

With Six Burglaries of Homes and Businesses in Bensonhurst

Allegedly Stole More than $150,000 Worth of Jewelry and Cash

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and New York City Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban today announced that two Brooklyn men have been arraigned on an indictment for allegedly committing a string of six burglaries in Bensonhurst between August 2022 and January 2023. Of the burglaries, two were of private dwellings and four were local stores.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants are allegedly professional burglars whose crime spree violated the sanctity of local homeowners and businesses in the Bensonhurst community, and we will now seek to hold them accountable. Together with the NYPD, we have been focusing enforcement efforts on alleged repeat offenders, leading to a double-digit percentage decline in Brooklyn burglaries so far this year.”

NYPD Commissioner Caban said, “Today’s indictment is the result of determined police work at the precinct level coupled with relentless follow-up by NYPD investigators and our colleagues in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. And because no community should ever be plagued by alleged career criminals victimizing hardworking people where they live and work, the men and women of the NYPD will keep working hand-in-hand with all of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure that New Yorkers are safe – and feel safe, too.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Sam Kravchenko, 36, of Coney Island, Brooklyn, and John Catullo, 55, of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. They were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on a 74-count indictment in which they are variously charged with fourth-, fifth- and sixth-degree conspiracy, second- and third-degree burglary, third- and fourth-degree grand larceny, third-, fourth- and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, possession of burglars’ tools, trespass and related charges. They were ordered held without bail and to return to court on September 20, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendants were charged in connection with the following incidents:

The defendant and his co-defendants were named in a 2018 indictment in which they were variously charged with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to possess weapons, and other charges in connection with eight separate shootings, including two fatalities.

• On August 8, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a private home on West 12^th Street in Gravesend and stole two Rolex watches, a Cartier gold watch, a gold necklace with a diamond cross, a gold bracelet, a diamond bracelet, and diamond earrings.
• On September 6, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a grocery store on 17^th Avenue in Bensonhurst, stealing a safe containing approximately $15,000 cash as well as a cash register containing petty cash.
• On October 6, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a grocery store located on Bath Avenue in Bath Beach and stole a security box containing approximately $10,000 cash and a cash register containing petty cash.
• On October 6, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a grocery store located on New Utrecht Avenue in Bensonhurst and stole a security box containing approximately $10,000 cash and a cash register containing petty cash.
• On November 13, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a vape shop located on 18^th Avenue in Bensonhurst and stole approximately $38,211 worth of merchandise.
• On January 18, 2023, the defendants allegedly burglarized a private home located on 76^th Street in Bensonhurst and stole approximately $7,000 cash, two Rolexes, a Cartier bracelet, a necklace and matching earring set, and a gold necklace.

Defendant Kravchenko was arrested on January 26, 2023, after a car stop for failure to signal. He was allegedly driving with a suspended license, and police allegedly recovered 39 Oxycodone pills in his vehicle along with two police scanners. Upon further investigation using cell phone sites, enhanced video and other evidence, the defendants were linked to the burglaries.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Officer Nicholas Occhipinti, Sergeant James Sinnott and Detective Anthony Brucato, all of the 62^nd Precinct.

The District Attorney thanked Intelligence Analyst Fatima Shaik and Unit Chief Jingu Chong, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab and Jannette Lukowsky, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Law Enforcement Assistance Unit, for their work on the case.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph Duarte, of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Trabulsi and Assistant District Attorney Iris Das, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Danielle Eaddy, Bureau Chief. 

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Brooklyn Gang Member Sentenced to 25 Years to

Life in Prison for Fatally Shooting a Man

Bullets Also Struck School Bus and MTA Bus

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a reputed Brooklyn gang member has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison following his conviction for murdering a man outside a Brownsville bodega. Stray bullets struck a nearby school bus and an MTA bus, barely missing their passengers.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant robbed a two-year-old girl of her father, devastated a family, and endangered the lives of countless others with stray bullets hitting two crowded buses. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for this despicable crime, and I hope it offers some comfort to the victim’s loved ones.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jamel Dossie, 34, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phyllis Chu to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on June 29, 2023, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on November 19, 2019, at approximately 8:45 a.m., outside a bodega on Pennsylvania Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn, the defendant shot and killed 32-year-old Francisco Bonilla, the father of a 2-year-old girl. Flying bullets hit a school bus that was carrying young children to daycare and went through the rear door of an MTA bus full of passengers. No one was hurt on those buses.

The evidence showed that the defendant, who was a member of the Blood Stone Villains gang, was looking for the victim at a bodega the victim used to frequent. Surveillance videos captured the defendant in the moments before, during and after the murder. Specifically, the video showed him wearing a red baseball cap in the moments before the murder. Footage then tracked the defendant as he hunted the victim down and opened fire at the intersection of Pennsylvania and Dumont Avenues. Finally, video tracked the defendant as he returned to a nearby building where he was seen putting a gun inside of a mailbox and celebrating the murder by dancing and laughing with two women in the lobby.

Another video captured him a short time later entering a fourth-floor apartment, wearing that red hat again, and subsequently leaving the apartment without the hat. That same hat was later recovered from the apartment with the defendant’s DNA on it.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Diamond, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Matthew Stewart, Deputy Chief of VCE, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Alfred De Ingeniis, VCE Chief.

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Thursday, July 6, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 27 Years to Life in Prison for

Killing Building Superintendent and Burying Body in Unmarked Grave

Defendant Was Convicted Murder and Concealment of a Corpse

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 27 years to life in prison for a 2017 murder in which he fatally strangled a building superintendent in Bushwick who had been hired to replace him. The defendant then attempted to cover-up the crime by burying the victim’s body in an unmarked grave outside his grandmother’s house.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The senselessness of this cold-blooded murder shocks the conscience, and my heart continues to be with Daniel Rivera’s loved ones. Today’s lengthy prison sentence makes our community safer and ensures this defendant will pay a heavy price for this callous and horrific crime.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Keith Floyd, 44, of Bushwick, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Ziomaida Tomlinson to 27 years to life in prison. He was convicted of second-degree murder, first-degree hindering prosecution, and concealment of a human corpse, on February 21, 2023, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 27, 2017, in the vicinity of 146 Grove Street, the defendant killed Daniel Rivera by asphyxiation. At the time, the 41-year-old victim was working as a superintendent for a building management company in Bushwick. Rivera had been hired to replace the defendant after the defendant was fired in April 2017 following his arrest for gun possession. Additionally, the defendant was facing eviction from his apartment at 91 Himrod Street on September 29, 2017. Once vacated, the company-owned apartment would have gone to Rivera.

Several days before his scheduled eviction, according to the evidence, the defendant began to communicate with the victim by phone calls and text messages. On September 27, 2017, the day of the murder, the defendant texted with the victim for seven hours. Extensive evidence including video and surveillance footage provide a detailed timeline of the defendant’s interactions with the victim.

The defendant left his apartment at 91 Himrod Street at approximately 3:05 p.m. and walked about five blocks to 146 Grove Street, which is one of the properties that Rivera cleaned and maintained. Approximately 40 minutes later, the defendant killed the victim at that property.

Later that evening the defendant and his sister, Adrianna Floyd, 41, returned to the Grove Street property, wrapped the victim’s body in several trash bags, loaded it into a shopping cart, and brought it to the defendant’s apartment.

At approximately 2:17 a.m., on September 30, 2017, according to the evidence, the defendant used the victim’s cellphone to send a text to the victim’s boss stating that Rivera was quitting because he found a new job.

Later that morning, at approximately 6:30 a.m., the defendant was captured on surveillance video wheeling the shopping cart with the victim’s body out of his apartment and down the block to his grandmother’s home at 54 Himrod Street, where he buried the body.

On October 5, 2017, the New York City Police Department received an anonymous tip that there was a dead body buried in the backyard at 54 Himrod Street. The next day, detectives found Rivera’s body buried in a shallow grave. The victim was wrapped in plastic trash bags and had a clear plastic garbage wrapped tightly around his head and neck. The New York City Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and ruled the cause of death was homicidal asphyxia.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert J. Walsh, Chief of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Sanam Shah, also of the Grey Zone.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Former Brooklyn Postal Worker Indicted for Stealing Over $160,000

Defendant Worked as Window Clerk at a Post Office in Bensonhurst Where She Allegedly Voided Customers’ Money Order Purchases and Pocketed the Cash

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, today announced that a Brooklyn woman has been arraigned on an indictment in which she is charged with second-degree grand larceny, official misconduct, and first-degree falsifying business records for allegedly stealing more than $160,000 while working as a window clerk at a post office in Bensonhurst.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly abused her position and betrayed the public trust for her own personal gain. A thorough investigation uncovered the extent of her alleged theft, and we will now seek to hold her accountable. Public corruption will not be tolerated in Brooklyn.”

Special Agent in Charge Modafferi said, “The Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the Postal Service and its personnel. When a Postal Service employee decides to break the public’s trust and participates in criminal acts, USPS OIG Special Agents will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice. This indictment will serve as a reminder that there are severe consequences when individuals utilize their Postal Service position to commit crimes. The U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General would like to thank our law enforcement partners and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for their dedication and efforts in this investigation.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Sherrin Saddler, 34, of Brooklyn. She was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Kitsis on an indictment in which she is charged with second-degree grand larceny, official misconduct, and 180 counts of first-degree falsifying business records. She was released without bail and ordered to return to court on September 13, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between November 15, 2019, and July 30, 2020, the defendant allegedly stole over $160,0000 while working as a window clerk at the Parkville Station post office in Bensonhurst. It is alleged the defendant received cash from customers who purchased money orders. The defendant then voided the money orders – and pocketed the cash – once the customers left. According to the investigation, the defendant did this 180 times. Some customers’ money orders bounced, while other customers were able to remit the money orders as payment to the addressee or vendor without issue. However, when the money orders were cashed and then returned to the U.S. Federal Reserve for accounting, the money orders were found to have been voided. After an audit, USPS Inspectors learned of the loss occurring at the Parkville Station location and launched an investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Tamara Edelstein, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Laura Neubauer, Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 22 Years to Life in Prison for Double Murder

Pleaded Guilty to Shooting and Stabbing His Girlfriend’s Mother and Her Stepfather,

Victims were Slain in Their Sheepshead Bay Apartment 

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 22 years to life in prison for participating in the murder of his former girlfriend’s mother and her stepfather. Each of the victims was shot and stabbed.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s lengthy sentence holds this defendant accountable for his role in this brutal and horrific double murder that robbed two innocent victims of their lives. The depravity of these crimes cannot be overstated, and while no sentence can bring the victims back to their family and friends, I hope this sentence offers them some sense of solace.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jerry Maisonett, 35, of Sunset Park, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Niki Warin to 22 years to life in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on August 8, 2022.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on December 28, 2015, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the defendant, acting in concert with another person, shot and stabbed Rosie Sanchez, 38 and Anderson Nunez, 40, in their apartment located at 2364 Batchelder Street, in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The defendant’s former girlfriend, Destiny Garcia, also lived in the apartment.

Rosie Sanchez was shot in the head and stabbed in the heart. Anderson Nunez was shot twice and stabbed more than 30 times.

The defendant was arrested on February 16, 2016, following an investigation.

Destiny Garcia, 22, was arrested on January 4, 2016, after she made statements about the killings to a cousin, who alerted police. She was convicted of two counts of first-degree manslaughter and one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon following a jury trial and will be sentenced on August 3, 2023.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ernest Chin, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau and Senior Assistant District Attorney Sarah Jafari, also of the Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Wrong Way Driver Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Striking and Killing

Three-Month-Old Baby, Seriously Injuring Her Mother

Defendant Crashed into Another Vehicle, Causing Both Cars to Jump the Curb,

As Mother, Father and Child were Crossing the Street

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for driving against traffic on a one-way street and colliding with another vehicle, jumping the curb, and striking a family walking with a stroller. A baby, 3-month-old Apolline Mong Guillemin, died and her mother sustained serious injuries.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s reckless driving took the life of a precious young child, seriously injured her mother and devastated both parents. We are committed to improving the safety of Brooklyn’s streets, and I hope the family finds a measure of solace with today’s sentencing, knowing this defendant will be off the streets for a long time.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Tyrik Mott, 30, of Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to nine years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to first- and second-degree assault, second-degree manslaughter, second-degree attempted robbery, reckless driving, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of an incident without reporting on March 22, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on September 11, 2021 at approximately 6 p.m., the defendant drove a Honda Civic eastbound on a portion of Gates Avenue that is a westbound one-way street. He entered the intersection at Vanderbilt Avenue, a two-way street, and collided with another Honda Civic driving north with the light. The two cars then jumped the curb and struck a couple walking with a stroller on Gates Avenue.

Three-month-old Apolline Mong Guillemin died of her injuries and her mother suffered serious injuries and was taken to Methodist Hospital. Her father sustained minor injuries. The driver of the Honda the defendant collided with was also injured.

After the crash, the defendant ran out of his vehicle and fled on foot, discarding a dark colored jersey he was wearing. He then attempted to carjack a Hyundai Santa Fe on Atlantic Avenue, about two blocks away. As he was doing so, he was apprehended by responding police officers. His driver’s license was suspended at the time of the incident.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lana Schlesinger, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau (formerly of the Homicide Bureau) and Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph Mancino, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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Friday, May 5, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for Murder of Former Girlfriend and Attempted Murder of Her Mother

Victim Was Shot Five Times as She Walked Near Her Home with Her Mother and Friend

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for shooting to death his former girlfriend, with whom he shared two children.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s calculated, cold-blooded murder cut short Sade Sanchez’s life and robbed her family and friends of a beloved mother, daughter, and friend. With today’s substantial prison sentence, this defendant will no longer be a threat to anyone else in our community.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Gabriel Rivera, 30, of Ridgewood, Queens. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Tomlinson to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree attempted assault, and first-degree stalking on March 29, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on approximately September 1, 2018, Sade Sanchez, 24, ended a nine-year relationship with the defendant, with whom she shared two children. Thereafter, he called and texted her repeatedly and showed up outside of her Bushwick home stalking her.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, on October 6, 2018, the defendant showed up outside of the victim’s home, located on Menahan Street, and saw a 21-year-old male friend of the victim hanging out in front of the house. The defendant punched the man three times in the head and told him that no one could be with his woman.

Finally, according to the investigation, on October 7, 2018, the victim was walking on Menahan Street with her 46-year-old mother and the same friend who was punched by the defendant a day earlier, when the defendant approached from behind a car, pulled out a firearm and shot Ms. Sanchez five times. After she fell to the ground, he continued to fire at her. He then pointed the gun in her mother’s face and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire.

The defendant fled the scene and was arrested the following day.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Sabeeha Madni, First Deputy Chief of the School Advocacy and Juvenile Crimes Bureau (formerly of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau), under the supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Michelle Kaminsky, Chief of the District Attorney’s Gender-Based Violence Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison for Killing Ex-Girlfriend 

Defendant Slashed Victim in Neck with Knife During a Dispute

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for killing his ex-girlfriend by fatally slitting her throat. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter last month.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “With today’s sentence the defendant has been held responsible for the vicious and deadly stabbing of an innocent woman and mother. Today’s lengthy prison sentence is a step toward justice for the victim’s family and friends.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Romeo Borneo, 63, of Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Abena Darkeh to 19 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. He pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter on April 3, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on November 13, 2018, at approximately 11 a.m., at 25 Lefferts Avenue, the defendant called police stating that he and the victim, Erica Renaud, 47, had a fight and that he had been cut. Police and emergency medical personnel arrived at the address and found the defendant with cut marks on his wrist.

Furthermore, during a search of the apartment, police found the vicitm’s body under a pile of blood-stained bedding and pillows on the living room floor. The victim’s throat was cut. The defendant told police he and the victim, who had recently ended their relationship, had a fight. Detectives subsequently found a broken knife in the garbage with what appeared to be blood stains on it.

The medical examiner later determined the victim’s cause of death to be a wound to the neck which led to a fatal loss of blood.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Farin Chasin-Fodeman, of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kori Medow, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez to

Host Prescription Drug Take Back

Safe, Convenient Way to Dispose of Expired and Unused

Prescription Drugs Will Be Provided in 13 Brooklyn Locations

          Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that, together with the New York City Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division, his Office will host a Prescription Drug Give Back on Friday, April 21, 2023, between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The initiative, held one day before the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, will provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Unused prescription medications can fall into the hands of children or get stolen and sold to those who misuse drugs. It is essential to safely dispose of these medications as a measure to help prevent opioid addiction before it begins, which is why we have partnered for the first Rx Take Back in Brooklyn. On Friday, across 13 locations throughout the borough, residents are encouraged to turn in expired and unused prescription drugs in a way that doesn’t impact our environment and makes us all safer and healthier.”

NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said, “Events like these are an important part of the NYPD and our law enforcement partners’ efforts to fight the nationwide overdose epidemic and save lives. We encourage everyone – across Brooklyn, and across New York City as a whole – to share the responsibility for public safety by properly disposing of unneeded prescription medications. This is how we will continue to keep all of our communities safe.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III said, “For more than a decade DEA has helped Americans rid their homes of old, unwanted, or expired medications at our National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. I applaud our partners at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Police Department for their efforts to expand this program within the communities they serve. The DEA New York Division is pleased to partner with Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and New York City Police Department in this preventative effort to safeguard homes from prescription drug misuse.”

The District Attorney said that, according to a National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 11.5 million people age 12 and older misuse a prescription pain reliever each year. More than 40 percent of those drugs are obtained from friends and family members – typically without their knowledge. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is aimed at addressing this issue while providing education about the danger of misuse of prescribed medication.

On Friday, April 21, between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., safe drop off sites for expired and unused medication will be available to the public throughout Brooklyn, no questions asked. The 13 locations, including the lobby of the DA’s Office, community centers, senior centers and churches, will be staffed with uniformed officers and include educational literature. The full list of locations is available in the attached flyer.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, April 10, 2023

Queens Man Sentenced to Prison for Stealing School Bus,

Crashing into Numerous Vehicles and Causing Injuries to Other Drivers

   Defendant Ignored Police Orders to Stop, Fled with Officers Holding on to Bus

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Queens man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for stealing a school bus in East Flatbush and driving recklessly across multiple police precincts, damaging property and other vehicles, and injuring other drivers. The defendant pleaded guilty to attempted assault last month.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s sentence holds this defendant accountable for his brazenly reckless conduct that caused mayhem across several communities and put countless lives at risk. Thankfully there were not more serious injuries to the police officers and the public.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Anthony Reyes, 44, of Jamaica, Queens. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jane Tully to seven years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted assault on February 10, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on December 2, 2021, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the defendant stole an unoccupied school bus, with keys in the ignition and the engine running from the driveway of a house on East 51^st Street in East Flatbush in the 67^th precinct. A call was placed to 911 to report the stolen bus, along with its GPS location.

Within a short period of time police officers saw the bus parked in the 75^th precinct, near 138 Jackie Robinson Parkway, with the defendant in the driver’s seat. Police approached the vehicle and the defendant started to drive away, even though one officer was holding on to the vehicle. Eventually, the officer let go as the defendant fled in the bus.

Within approximately 30 minutes, in the confines of the 73^rd and 75^th precincts, the defendant rammed into the side of a building and continued driving. He then rammed into multiple vehicles, both parked and in the middle of the street stopped at a traffic light. Two of the vehicles still had individuals inside during the impact. One of the vehicles he struck was occupied by a woman, and police managed to pull her out of the vehicle before the defendant struck it a second time, dragging the vehicle down the street. Eventually, the defendant was apprehended by police in the confines of the 75^th precinct. used in the shooting was recovered from a trashcan in front of a nearby building.

As a result of the incident, multiple people suffered minor injuries.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Aleena Peerzada and Assistant District Attorney Kaitlin Kinsella, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Bureau Chief.

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