Bronx Man Gets 15 Years for 2007 Garden City Home Invasion

Cortez drove getaway car as accomplices robbed homeowners of $50,000 in cash, jewelry, and rare coins at gunpoint

MINEOLA, NY – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that Luis Cortez has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a 2007 home invasion in Garden City that saw one resident tied up while another was forced to open safes in the home at gunpoint.

Cortez, 32, of the Bronx was convicted by jury of Robbery in the Second Degree on November 21, 2008.

Rice said that on September 14, 2007, Cortez acted as the driver for a group of armed robbers that approached the victim as he headed for his car at approximately 6:25 a.m. They led the victim back into the home at gunpoint and tied up a female victim who was in the home, ordering her to lie face down on her bed. The male victim was forced to open a basement safe that contained cash and assorted jewelry and a second safe on the top floor of the house that contained assorted jewelry and rare coins. The burglars made off with approximately $50,000 worth of cash, coins, and jewelry.

A suspicious neighbor took down a partial license plate number and make and model of the vehicle, eventually leading to the arrests of three suspects.

In addition to Cortez, who was arrested on May 2, 2008, two other men have been charged. Cruz Mateo, 24, of the Bronx was arrested May 2, 2008, pleaded guilty to Burglary in the First Degree, and is awaiting sentencing. Domingo Ulloa, 36, of the Bronx was arrested September 20, 2007 and is awaiting trial. The investigation is ongoing.

“Our homes are meant to be sanctuaries from the dangers of the outside world, but Mr. Cortez and his associates stole more than money from this family. They stole their peace of mind,” Rice said. “Those who terrorize us in the sanctities of our homes must pay a steep price, and Mr. Cortez will now pay his.”

Assistant District Attorney Christopher Holbrook of the DA’s County Court Trial Bureau is handling the case for the District Attorney’s Office. Cortez is being represented by James Quail, Esq.