Five Defendants Arrested For Daytime Armed Robberies Of Manhattan Jewelry Stores

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of two Complaints charging five defendants with the armed robberies of two Manhattan jewelry stores on the mornings of January 3, 2023, and May 20, 2023, in which approximately $2 million of jewelry was stolen at gunpoint.  The five defendants were arrested this morning in New York and New Jersey.  FRANK DIPIETRO, VINCENT CERCHIO, VINCENT SPAGNUOLO, and MICHAEL SELLICK were charged by Complaint in connection with the January 3, 2023, robbery of a jewelry store on Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.  SAMUEL SORCE was charged by Complaint in connection with the May 20, 2023, robbery of a jewelry store on Elizabeth Street in lower Manhattan.  DIPIETRO, CERCHIO, SPAGNUOLO, SELLICK, and SORCE will be presented in Manhattan federal court later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “The defendants allegedly brazenly robbed Manhattan jewelry stores of approximately $2 million worth of merchandise at gunpoint.  Violent robberies, especially those with firearms, will not be tolerated by the FBI and our partners in law enforcement.  The arrests today should serve as a warning to anyone willing to engage in armed robberies – you will face the consequences.”

NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “The swift arrests in this case reaffirm the NYPD’s steadfast commitment, with its law enforcement partners, to hold everyone accused of violent acts accountable.  The charges these defendants face reflect a callous disregard for life, and they will now be held accountable.  I thank and commend the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District, the New York Field Office of the FBI, and everyone who worked to achieve justice in this case.”

According to the allegations in the Complaints and other publicly filed documents:[1]

On the morning of January 3, 2023, DIPIETRO, CERCHIO, SPAGNUOLO, and SELLICK traveled to Midtown Manhattan together in multiple vehicles.  At approximately 10:20 a.m., an employee of a Midtown Manhattan jewelry store was preparing to place pieces of jewelry into the store’s street-level display case when DIPIETRO and SELLICK, dressed in construction vests, entered the building from Madison Avenue.  As shown in the image below, DIPIETRO pointed a gun at the employee and said “give it to me,” before SELLICK said, “turn around and get in the closet.” 

DIPIETRO and SELLICK fled the store with at least three pieces of high-end diamond jewelry, including an approximately 73-carat necklace (first picture below), an approximately six-carat ring (second picture below), and an approximately 17-carat pair of earrings (third picture below).  DIPIETRO, SELLICK, CERCHIO, and SPAGNUOLO then fled Midtown Manhattan.  Surveillance footage from the area of the robbery indicates that the defendants, including DIPIETRO and CERCHIO, had prepared for the robbery by “casing” the scene the day before.

On the morning of May 20, 2023, employees of a jewelry store on Elizabeth Street in Manhattan had just opened for business when DIPIETRO and SELLICK — again masked and wearing construction vests — entered the store’s street-level front door.  As shown in the image below, SELLICK pointed a gun at the store’s employees and ordered them to the ground, while DIPIETRO gathered jewelry.  After DIPIETRO and SELLICK fled the store with the stolen goods, they first got in a getaway car driven by SORCE — who was also dressed like a construction worker — before switching to a second getaway car driven by SPAGNUOLO.

CERCHIO, 69, of Howard Beach, New York, DIPIETRO, 65, of Red Bank, New Jersey, SELLICK, 67, of Franklin Square, New York, SORCE, 25, of Florham Park, New Jersey, and SPAGNUOLO, 65, of Monmouth Beach, New Jersey, are each charged with one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, each of which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in connection with a crime of violence, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison to be imposed in addition to any sentence imposed for the underlying Hobbs Act robbery. 

The minimum and maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD.  Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI for its assistance in this matter.

The charges contained in the Complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaints and the description of the Complaints set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Attorney General James’ Health Care Helpline Recovers More Than $1.5 Million in Restitution and Savings For New Yorkers

 

Free Helpline Handled More Than 2,300 Cases for New Yorkers with Health Care Complaints In 2022

New York Attorney General Letitia James today released a report detailing the work of the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Health Care Bureau’s Helpline, a free service that handled more than 2,300 consumer complaints and recovered more than $1.5 million in restitution and savings for New Yorkers in 2022. The Helpline is also available to provide information to New Yorkers and ensure they can access medically necessary care or prescription medication unfairly denied to them.

“Access to health care is a fundamental right for every New Yorker,” said Attorney General James. “Through the critical work of our Helpline, we saved New Yorkers more than $1.5 million dollars last year, while helping to ensure people have access to the medical care they need. Anyone who believes they were wrongfully billed or denied health benefits are encouraged to contact my office for support.”

The Health Care Bureau’s 2022 Annual Report, Real Solutions for Real New Yorkers, details the work done over the past year to assist New Yorkers. The report highlights actions taken by Helpline advocates to resolve consumer complaints, discusses major cases handled by the bureau, and details health care concerns facing New Yorkers, including issues related to COVID-19. New Yorkers can call the toll-free Helpline at 1-800-428-9071 to report and resolve health care complaints and concerns ranging from simple payment processing errors to complex deceptive business practices. Consumers can also use OAG’s online complaint form to lodge a complaint. 

In 2022, Helpline staff handled 2,309 consumer complaints and provided another 1,722 consumers with information or referred them to an appropriate agency for assistance. Complaints addressed through the helpline include:

• Six consumers contacted OAG after receiving unexpected bills of $300 to $400 for office visits related to COVID-19 between 2020 and 2021, when their COVID-19 testing should have been free of charge. After OAG intervened, the patients’ balances were adjusted to zero.

• A consumer's infant was born prematurely with multiple complications, and needed a higher level of care that could only be provided at a children’s hospital. Their transfer request was initially denied by the health plan, but was then approved after OAG asked their health plan to review the medical necessity.

• A consumer received a bill for in-network services at a hospital that was nearly twice as much as the initial written estimate. After OAG got involved, the hospital issued a zero-balance statement, saving the consumer about $1,000.

• A consumer injured her foot and scheduled an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, who required an MRI to determine the best course of treatment. Her health plan denied both the initial request for coverage and an appeal. After OAG intervened, the health plan approved coverage for the MRI.

• After receiving complaints about illegal billing practices at Mobile Life, an Orange County ambulance company, OAG conducted an investigation and found Mobile Life unlawfully billed patients for the difference between what their insurance plans paid and what the company charged. After these revelations, Attorney General James secured a settlement that required Mobile Life to pay restitution to the affected patients, update its billing practices, and pay a $100,000 penalty.

In addition to highlighting the challenges faced by New York health care consumers, complaints handled by the Helpline are also an important means of identifying systemic problems in the state’s health care system. While not all complaints and inquiries can be resolved favorably, the Helpline is a crucial source of reliable and objective information for New Yorkers. Helpline advocates also work to ensure that any negative effects from improper medical billing or insurance claims are removed from credit reports.

Any consumer who believes that they may have been treated unfairly by a health care provider, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), insurance plan, or health-related business should contact OAG’s Health Care Helpline online or by calling 1-800-428-9071.

The OAG Health Care Bureau’s Helpline is part of Attorney General James’ ongoing efforts to safeguard New York consumers and ensure health care access is protected. Last month, Attorney General James issued a consumer alert to warn New Yorkers about a new health insurance renewal scam and provided important tips to protect them. In December 2022, Attorney General James warned New Yorkers about potential price gouging of children’s medication. In May 2022, Attorney General James helped ensure the completion of $13.6 million in payments to consumers who were unlawfully denied coverage under her landmark settlement with the nation’s largest health insurer, UnitedHealthCare. In February 2022, Attorney General James secured refunds for New Yorkers who were wrongfully charged administration fees from two New York City pharmacies when they received their COVID-19 vaccine.

Governor Hochul Announces Over $90 Million in Capital Funding for Arts Organizations Across New York State

 

New York State Council on the Arts’ Capital Projects Fund Will Support Transformative Projects at 19 Arts and Cultural Organizations

Also Announces Groundbreaking for Storm King Art Center Redevelopment to Enhance Visitor Experience and Protect the Safety of Staff and Artwork

Part of Governor’s Historic Investment of $150 Million in Capital Projects for New York’s Arts and Cultural Institutions to Facilitate Large-Scale Placemaking and Community Development Projects

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a record $90.5 million in funding for large-scale capital projects at 19 arts and cultural organizations across New York State through the New York State Council of the Arts Capital Projects Fund. The announcement, which follows a $42 million investment in small and mid-sized capital projects announced in April, is part of the Governor’s historic $150 million investment in capital improvements for the arts. Governor Hochul announced the new funding at the groundbreaking for the campus-wide improvement project at Storm King Art Center, a 500-acre outdoor museum in the Mid-Hudson Region and a $7.5 million NYSCA Large Capital Improvement Grants recipient.

"From New York City to the North Country, we are investing in our state's robust arts and culture sector to ensure all New Yorkers, regardless of their background, have access to the transformative power of art," Governor Hochul said. "Our unprecedented support for this shared vision of accessible and sustainable cultural spaces will result in a stronger economy, more jobs, and improved community and personal health for New Yorkers and our visitors from around the globe.”

In addition to NYSCA’s support, Empire State Development awarded more than $3 million in funding to Storm King Art Center – a $2 million capital grant and a $1.2 million Market New York grant – at the recommendation of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council. NYSERDA has also contributed $600,000 to the project, bringing New York State’s total support for the facility to more than $11 million.

NYSCA’s Large Capital Improvement Grants for Arts and Culture support arts and cultural institutions across the state that are undertaking impactful, large-scale capital improvements. Grants range from $2 million to $10 million for projects with a total cost of $4 million or more. This funding will support investments to expand cultural programming, reach new and diverse audiences, and promote accessibility. These grants will also help advance the State's goals around diversity, equity and inclusion and will require all grantees to commit to social equity initiatives and access plans that serve all New Yorkers. NYSCA’s Large Capital Improvement Grants program is administered in coordination with Empire State Development, which reviews applications to evaluate the potential for projects to support local placemaking, community development, and downtown revitalization efforts.

The grant to Storm King Art Center will enhance the visitor experience through the construction of two new building elements: the Welcome Sequence and the Conservation, Fabrication, and Maintenance Building. The Welcome Sequence will help to simplify visitors’ arrival by doubling parking capacity, removing traffic, and adding new facilities to accommodate guest arrivals and group tours. The Conservation, Fabrication, and Maintenance Building will be Storm King’s first-ever purpose-built space, allowing them to work with artists on fabrication, better care for their collection by conserving important artworks onsite, and provide staff with safe, well-equipped facilities. The new facility will also prioritize sustainability with all-electric buildings and LEED Gold Certification for the Welcome Sequence, reinforcing Storm King’s long history of land preservation and environmental education.

In addition to Storm King Arts Center, other NYSCA grantees announced today include:

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Phillipstown: LEED-Certified Outdoor Theater and Ecological Land Restoration  

• This project will transform a recently acquired 98-acre site into a destination campus, open for year-round world-class performances, engaging education programs and access to land that will be permanently conserved.

Lake Placid Association of Music, Drama and Art, Lake Placid: New Arts Facility Construction  

• This project will build a new modern arts complex, a destination for artistic excellence in the North County and an essential vehicle for boosting cultural tourism.

National Black Theatre Workshop, New York City: New Performing Arts Center Construction  

• NYSCA funds will support the construction of a unique multipurpose arts and job-training center that will provide a world-class arts facility, cultural and educational programming, job training services, and an incubator for creative sector entrepreneurs.

A complete list of NYSCA grantees is available here.

In September 2022, Governor Hochul announced the $150 million Capital Projects Fund to support New York’s arts and cultural institutions and facilitate large-scale capital projects that prioritize community development and placemaking. In addition to the Capital Projects Fund, NYSCA has awarded $90 million in non-capital grants to arts organizations and artists for FY2023.

EDITOR'S NOTE: 

Millions of dollars for Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens in New York City, plus millions of dollars for other counties, but not one dime for Arts Organizations in Bronx County. 

Maybe the Kingsbridge Armory should be redeveloped into an arts center, or at least a part of the armory.