Franklin Square Man Convicted of Robbery; Teen Robbery Crew Mugged 10 Young Victims in December 2007

Elie and others targeted young teens; he now faces up to 15 years in prison

MINEOLA, NY - Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that the final member of a five-person teenaged robbery crew has been convicted of robbery charges stemming from a four-day crime spree in late 2007 that targeted teens the crew regarded as easy targets.

It took a jury less than an hour to convict Yveson Elie, 20, of Franklin Square, of six counts of Robbery in the Second Degree. He faces up to 15 years in prison at his December 18 sentencing.

Rice said that from December 28 through December 31, 2007, Elie and four other teenagers threatened and robbed 10 younger teenage victims they considered easy targets. Crew members would threaten victims with violence and tell the victims they had a gun before stealing cash, clothing, and cell phones.

Elie is the fifth member of the crew to be convicted. The four others are:

• Frank Grieco, 19, of West Hempstead, pleaded guilty to four counts of Robbery in the Second Degree and was sentenced to five years in prison.
• Nicole Cicchino, 19, of Franklin Square, pleaded guilty to Robbery in the Second Degree. She is awaiting sentencing.
• Christopher Capurso, 18, of Franklin Square, pleaded guilty to two counts of Robbery in the Third Degree and was sentenced to two years in county jail.
• The last defendant received youthful offender status. His record is sealed from the public.

The robbery spree started on December 28 when four boys were robbed as they rode their bikes in Michael Tully Park in New Hyde Park. Other robberies over the next three days included a 15-year-old boy robbed of his sweatshirt in Floral Park, and in separate incidents, a pair of teenagers and a trio of 15-year-old boys all robbed while walking through Garden City. Elie only participated in the second Garden City robbery.

“These five teenagers depended on fear and intimidation to steal from defenseless kids they thought were weak,” Rice said. “They did not, however, count on the strength of Nassau County law enforcement.”

Assistant District Attorneys Ryan McAllister and Christine Geier of the County Court Trial Bureau is handling the case for the District Attorney's Office. Elie is represented by Brian Carmody, Esq.