New Rochelle Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison Following Bronx Crime Spree

NEW YORK, NY (September 13, 2022) — New York Police arrested the man after he robbed a man, stole his car, crashed the vehicle and found to be in possession of a loaded gun.

Conviction: Shamel Rodriguez, 33, of New Rochelle, NY, was found guilty of the charges on March 18, 2022 after a jury trial.

Sentencing: On September 7, 2022, Bronx Supreme Court Justice Denis Boyle sentenced Rodriguez to nine years in prison, with sentences to run concurrently, and five years of post-release supervision.

Charges:

• Criminal Possession of a Weapon – 2nd
• Robbery – 2nd
  

What they are saying:

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark: “The defendant robbed a man and took his car, recklessly driving through red lights and speeding while police pursued him for seven blocks before he crashed into a subway pillar. Officers found a loaded .22 caliber revolver in his possession. If you possess a loaded illegal gun in the Bronx, you face prison time.”

Police Narrative:

On September 13, 2019 at 4:00 a.m. in the vicinity of Jefferson Place and Franklin Avenue, Rodriguez approached the victim asking for marijuana, then demanded his personal property. After receiving the victim’s car keys, he stole the vehicle and attempted to escape. Officers followed the car and after pursuing the defendant for several blocks as he drove recklessly, the defendant crashed the car into a subway pillar. NYPD officers found Rodriguez in possession of a loaded .22 caliber pistol.

Prosecution:

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Devin Horzempa, and Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Paul Irace, both of Trial Bureau 60, under the supervision of Michael Schordine, Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 60, and Susanna Imbo, Chief of Trial Bureau 60, and under the overall supervision of James Brennan, Deputy Chief of the Trial Division, and Theresa Gottlieb, Chief of the Trial Division.

Credits:

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Daniel Banek of the DA’s Squad for his assistance in the case. District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Officer Nadja Brightman of the Bronx Evidence Collection Team, Detective Michael Riggio and NYPD Officer Stephanie Gallardo, both of the Bronx Strategic Response Group, and retired Detective Steven Hearns of the NYPD Ballistics Lab, and NYC Department of Correction Investigator Josiette Mclean for their work in the investigation.