Saturday, September 16, 2023

Bronx Man Sentenced To 70 Months In Prison For Armed Robbery Of Jewelry Store Using A Gun, Bear Spray, And Hammers

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that PABLO ARMANDO VALENZUELA was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero to 70 months in prison for committing an armed robbery of a jewelry store in the Bronx, New York.  VALENZUELA previously pled guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “The defendant committed a violent armed robbery of a Bronx jewelry store and injured innocent employees and bystanders by spraying a can of extremely hazardous bear spray directly into their faces.  Violent criminals who commit firearms offenses and terrorize hardworking New Yorkers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint and court filings:

On August 10, 2022, VALENZUELA, along with at least five other co-conspirators, committed an armed robbery of a jewelry store in the Bronx, New York, using a firearm, bear spray, and hammers.  On the evening of August 10, VALENZUELA entered the jewelry store wearing a ski mask and sprayed a can of bear spray into the eyes of jewelry store employees, temporarily blinding them.  As customers, including young children, attempted to flee the jewelry store, five other masked robbers entered the store and used hammers to destroy glass display cases.  At least one robber brandished a firearm.  VALENZUELA and the other robbers then stole hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry.  VALENZUELA fled the jewelry store and sprayed bear spray into the eyes of bystanders, many of whom were then rushed to the hospital.  The robbers then fled in various directions on foot, in cars, and on the backs of mopeds driven by co-conspirators who stood nearby as lookout and getaway drivers.

Photographs of VALENZUELA committing the offense are below:

Picture of the defendant spraying bear spray at an employee
Picture of the defendant wearing a ski mask in the jewelry store
In addition to his prison term, VALENZUELA, 33, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.

VALENZUELA’s co-defendant, AARON MILLER, pled guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and will be sentenced on December 1, 2023.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR FATALLY SHOOTING INNOCENT BYSTANDER AS SHE WALKED HOME FROM SCHOOL

 

Defendant Shot Two More Teen Victims; Pleaded Guilty to Second-Degree Murder

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced today that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree Murder in the fatal shooting of Angellyh Yambo, 16, an innocent bystander.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant was in a dispute with two men when he fired multiple shots from a “ghost gun,” striking Angellyh Yambo, 16, and two more teens who were walking home from school. His actions ended the life of a beautiful young girl and shattered the lives of the survivors and the families of the victims.” 

 “Since Angellyh’s death, her family members have channeled their grief into action by starting a foundation to honor her memory. They have met with elected officials and supported legislation targeting ghost guns and have attended multiple anti-violence events my Office has held. Through their work, Angellyh’s memory will live on forever.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Jeremiah Ryan, 18, of the Bronx, was sentenced today to 15 years to life prison by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Rosenblueth. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree Murder on August 4, 2023.

 According to the investigation, on the afternoon of April 8, 2022, in front 510 East 156th Street, Ryan had a dispute with two men and fired at least six shots, striking Angellyh, a 17-yearold boy and a 17-year-old girl. The bullet struck Angellyh in her upper back, piercing her lung and pulmonary artery, causing her death. One surviving victim was shot in the left leg, and the other teen sustained a gunshot wound to the left buttocks. The victims were walking home from school when they were shot. The defendant fled the scene and was apprehended later that day.

 District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Detectives Brianna Constantino and Edwin Ayala of the 40th Precinct for their work in the investigation.

Governor Hochul Signs Public Health Legislation to Crack Down on Tobacco Sales

Close up of pens to sign Legislation 

Legislation (A1025/S50) Bans the Sale of Tobacco Products at Vending Stands and in Vending Machines in New York State Buildings

Protects Public Health by Making Harmful Tobacco Products Less Accessible

 Governor Kathy Hochul today signed public health legislation (A1025/S50) to crack down on tobacco sales in New York. This legislation will make tobacco products less accessible by prohibiting the sale of these products at vending stands and in vending machines in New York State buildings.

“For decades, tobacco companies have hooked generations of New Yorkers on nicotine,” Governor Hochul said. “We’re cracking down on Big Tobacco by banning the sale of their harmful products in New York State buildings. Protecting public health is a top priority for me, and I will continue to discourage the sale and use of these dangerous, addictive products in New York.”

Legislation (A1025/S50) amends the public buildings law to prohibit the sale of tobacco products in vending machines and at vending stands leasing space in New York State buildings. The prohibition will apply to new leases and contracts with vendors. This legislation makes the public buildings law consistent with other state laws and policies regarding tobacco sales. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, resulting in more than 480,000 deaths each year. Given the proven link between the use of tobacco products and serious disease and health risks, this legislation aims to protect public health in New York State by curbing the sale of these products on State property. According to the 2013 Independent Evaluation Report of the New York Tobacco Control Program, reductions in tobacco use are achieved by creating a social environment and legal climate in which tobacco becomes less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible. 

MAYOR ADAMS RELEASES FY23 MAYOR’S MANAGEMENT REPORT

 

MMR Shows Significant Improvements in Youth Services, Economic Development, Quality-of-Life, and More Under First Full Fiscal Year of Adams Administration

New York City Mayor Eric Adams released the Mayor’s Management Report (MMR) for Fiscal Year 2023, a report assessing city agency performance for all of Fiscal Year 2022, from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. The report — which covers the first full fiscal year of Mayor Adams’ term — shows that the Adams administration continues to “Get Stuff Done” for New Yorkers who need it most, with upgrades to youth services, progress in the city’s economic recovery, and quality of life improvements for all New Yorkers.

 

“As I say often, New York is not coming back — New York is back. And the numbers from our first full fiscal year in office show it,” said Mayor Adams. “Thanks to the smart investments our administration has made to boost youth programming, promote an equitable economic recovery, revamp our organics recycling program, build more housing, and so much more, our city is moving in the right direction. There is still more work to do, but this report shows that we are notching critical victories that will improve the lives of all New Yorkers.”

 

“For more than four decades, the MMR has been the gold standard for public accountability in city government,” said Mayor’s Office of Operations Director Daniel Steinberg. “This administration believes in the power of data to better inform decision-making and enhance public accountability, which is why we debuted the dynamic Mayor’s Management Report last year and continue to add metrics relating to key governmental functions and Mayor Adams’ signature initiatives. By giving the public a better picture into how city government is performing, we can continue to ‘Get Stuff Done’ for New Yorkers.”

 

The MMR, which emerged out of the city’s 1970s fiscal crisis, is a national model for using data-driven reporting to provide transparency on municipal services. Both the MMR and the Preliminary Mayor’s Management Report — which covers the first four months of the fiscal year and is released in January — are mandated by Section 12 of the New York City Charter.

 

Highlights of this year’s MMR include:

 

Boosting Youth Services

  • Participation in the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) rose by 22 percent over last summer, after the mayor increased the number of slots for the program to 100,000.
  • Overall stipends and wages paid to SYEP participants went up to $117.4 million, a 21 percent increase over the summer of 2022.
  • The number of young people receiving life coaching as part of the Fair Futures program increased by 24 percent, following Mayor Adams’ creation of the College Choice program building on the work of Fair Futures.
  • The city continued to identify and engage runaway and youth, experiencing homelessness with the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development’s street outreach teams engagements rising by 22 percent.
  • Enrollment in Summer Rising among students aged K-8 increased by 8 percent following Mayor Adams’ expansion of the program last year.
  • Average center-based child care voucher enrollment jumped by 42 percent, ensuring broader access to affordable child care.

 Promoting an Equitable, Healthy, Sustainable Economic Recovery 

  • Construction jobs associated with housing production increased 31 percent, and permanent jobs increased by 19 percent.
  • Visitors to the city’s Cultural Institutions Group members — a diverse coalition of institutions including museums, botanic gardens, and more — increased by 9 percent, the largest total number of visitors since Fiscal Year 2019.
  • The number of jobseekers registered through the New York City Department of Small Business Services’ Workforce1 Career Centers rose by 15 percent. 

Building a Greener City 

  • NYC Ferry ridership increased 23 percent and set an all-time high for average monthly ridership with 550,000 riders.
  • Staten Island Ferry ridership increased 21 percent, a faster rate of ridership increase than the New York City subway system.
  • Citi Bike trips increased by 13 percent and set an all-time fiscal year ridership high with over 32 million total rides.
  • The city reached a record level of organic waste being diverted from landfills, surpassing 100,000 tons for the first time since the city’s organics recycling program began, thanks in part to Mayor Adams’ $23 million investment in the citywide expansion of the administration’s curbside organics program in the Fiscal Year 2023 Executive Budget.
  • The number of electric vehicles in the city’s fleet managed by DCAS rose by 34 percent, with a 41 percent increase in cumulative electric vehicles charger ports installed. 

Investing in Affordable, Quality Housing 

  • Total affordable housing starts went up by 44 percent to 24,090, and the number of total supportive housing units increased 21 percent.
  • There was a 17 percent increase in households previously experiencing homelessness moving into affordable units and a 222 percent increase in applicants previously experiencing homelessness placed in public housing through the federal Section 8 program.
  • The number of units in New York City Housing Authority developments abated for lead skyrocketed by 426 percent.
  • The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development completed a record 830,328 inspections. 

Improving Quality of Life 

  • Major felony crime arrests increased 17 percent, to the highest level in over 10 years.
  • Gun arrests increased from 6,426 to 6,837, a 6.4 percent increase thanks to the introduction of Neighborhood Safety Teams under Mayor Adams’ leadership, which continues to take illegal guns off our streets.
  • Narcotics arrests increased 30 percent.
  • City agencies removed 82 percent more square footage of graffiti than in the previous year — the highest level since Fiscal Year 2019.
  • The New York City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene reached an all-time high of 179,000 initial pest control inspections. 
  • Bad neighbors were brought into line with the number of unreasonable noise summonses increasing by 154 percent to the highest level since Fiscal Year 2017.
  • A record 84.6 percent of New Yorkers now live within walking distance of a park — critical progress towards Mayor Adams’ goal of increasing park equity across the five boroughs. 

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use

 

Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More
(Friday) Extra, Extra
Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15
Rosh Hashanah begins 9/15/2023
Business to Business Networking Success in Throggs Neck
HGAR Highlights Bronx developments
Mott Haven Merchant Organizing Moves Forward

Member Spotlight
Casita Maria, The Art of Networking - 9/26/2023, 6:00pm

Upcoming Events
IMentor Mentorship Webinar, 9/26/2023 - Virtual, 12:00pm
2023 Gala - The Bronx is Building, 9/21/2023 - Marina Del Rey, 6:30pm
Friday Extra 9 15 2023
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS NETWORKING W. COUNCILMEMBER VELAZQUEZ
Networking for success with Councilmember Velazquez.

Networking and financial education were the buzz words at The Living Room in Throggs Neck as the Bronx Chamber with Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez, NYC Department of Small Business Services, and TD Bank hosted an evening of learning with business experts. The event brought together a panel of business and financial literacy experts to assist businesses in planning their future with tax advice, marketing and revenue solutions, and ways to integrate digital technology to assist in developing a robust bottom line.

For more info or to get involved, sbrn@bronxchamber.org
BRONX CHAMBER JOINS HGAR FOR BRONX COUNTY DAY
The Bronx Chamber of Commerce's leadership team joined elected officials and agency leaders in providing Bronx development and business updates to the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors for their annual Bronx Day Conference, sharing Bronx Chamber information and updates.

During the afternoon attendees learned about new policies and trends impacting their businesses and the real estate industry. For more information, email: communications@bronxchamber.org.
MERCHANT ORGANIZING MOVES FORWARD ON 138TH ST.
AVENUE NYC - MOTT HAVEN
Being in and of community as we work toward creating a 138th St. Merchant Association.

The Avenue NYC Program is building off of FY23 BID Exploration efforts by forming a merchants association on 138th Street. Part of these efforts includes partnering with community organizations and residents to bring information and services to our Bronx neighborhoods.

Avenue NYC Program Manager Tony Billups partners with the NYPD 40th Precinct, businesses, community based organizations for the annual Back to School Resource Fair on 138th Street.

Now in its 3rd year, the Avenue NYC Program is creating sustainable solutions to address area challenges and opportunities.

For more information: avenuenyc@bronxchamber.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
2023 Gala - The Bronx is Building
September 21 from 6:30pm - 10:30pm

Marina Del Rey
1 Marina Drive
Bronx, NY

Join The Bronx Chamber of Commerce for our flagship event of the year the 2023 Gala! Join over 600 attendees for an evening of entertainment, great food, dancing, and networking.
IMentor Mentorship Webinar
September 26 from 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Virtual

Join The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and IMentor for an afternoon of learning about mentorship opportunities.
Business to Business Networking - City Island
October 26 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Scavellos of City Island
101 City Island Avenue
Bronx, NY

Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez for an evening of business to business networking and coalition building in the City Island section of Council District 13.
For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our website events calendar link in your browser - new events are added weekly!