Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Armed Robbery of Guilderland Jewelry Store
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Aristedes Duartez III, age 37, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for his violent, armed robbery of a Guilderland, New York, jewelry store.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian, Guilderland Police Chief Carol J. Lawlor, and Andrew W. Vale, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
U.S. Attorney Hartunian stated, “During a robbery of $99,000 worth of Rolex watches from a jewelry store, Duartez jabbed a saleswoman in the back and ribs with his handgun and one of his accomplices pepper-sprayed a 77-year-old saleswoman. Thanks to the outstanding, painstaking investigation of federal and local agencies in New York and Pennsylvania, Duartez will now spend many years in prison for this horrible crime. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to make sure that his accomplices are also held accountable.”
Guilderland Police Chief Carol J. Lawlor stated, “On March 15, 2012, an armed robbery at Frank Adams Jewelers in the Town of Guilderland was committed that was so violent it terrorized not only those involved, but residents throughout the town. Only through the diligence of our investigators, one of whom worked untold hours in his off-duty time, and the assistance of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Aristades Duartez III was arrested and sentenced today for his part in this horrific incident. The Guilderland Police Department is pleased to make this announcement along with our colleagues, and offers sincere thanks to the FBI, the York Area Regional Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their assistance in bringing this individual to justice.”
Andrew W. Vale, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division of the FBI, stated, “Today’s sentencing is the result of many long hours of dedicated work by the FBI, the Guilderland Police Department and our law enforcement partners. Thanks to the joint efforts of law enforcement, Duartez will see just punishment for his criminal deeds.”
Around 8 p.m. on March 15, 2012, Duartez and three others robbed Frank Adams Jewelers on Western Avenue in Guilderland. Duratez and one of the other men entered the store and asked two saleswomen about some of the jewelry on display. A third man then entered the store, went to the Rolex watch display, smashed the glass display case with a hammer, and then stole 20 watches worth approximately $99,000. A fourth robber waited outside in a getaway car.
As the watches were stolen, Duartez pulled out a handgun, jammed it into the back and ribs of one of the saleswomen, and then shoved her toward a back room. At the same time, another robber shoved the 77-year-old saleswoman to the same back room, pulled her to the floor by her hair and shot pepper spray into her face as she cried and complied with their directions. Duartez and another robber then tied the wrists of the saleswomen with zip-ties and left.
Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also ordered Duartez to serve 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release; restitution will be assessed at a later date.
This case was investigated by the Town of Guilderland Police Department and the FBI, with assistance from the York Area Regional Police Department in Pennsylvania, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Sharpe.