Ezekiel Pittman, 21, also pleaded guilty to shooting man on Fulton Ave. in Hempstead, leaving bullet lodged near his victim’s spine
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Roosevelt man pleaded guilty yesterday to committing a string of armed robberies targeting three taxicab drivers, one of whom was shot, at locations in Hempstead and Roosevelt in August 2013. Additionally, the defendant pleaded guilty to a shooting in Hempstead, also in August 2013, that critically injured a man who needed surgery to remove a bullet lodged closely to his spine.
Ezekiel Pittman, 21, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two counts of Robbery in the 1st Degree (a B violent felony), Assault in the 1st Degree (a B violent felony), Attempted Robbery in the 1st Degree (a C felony), and Attempted Assault in the 1st Degree (a C felony) before Acting Nassau Supreme Court Justice Helene Gugerty. Pittman received a sentencing commitment from Judge Gugerty of 20 years in prison. He is due back in court for sentencing on June 2.
“Armed with a gun and determined to rob his victims regardless of the consequences, Mr. Pittman targeted four people unlucky enough to get in his way,” Acting DA Singas said. “As a result of his actions, all of his victims have been left with emotional scars, and three of his victims with physical scars that may never fully heal. With this guilty plea, we are ensuring that Mr. Pittman will no longer be a violent menace to our communities for some time to come.”
Acting DA Singas said on Aug. 2, 2013 at about 1:45 a.m., Pittman entered the rear of a cab in the vicinity of 5 Winthrop Street in Hempstead. Pittman displayed a gun and demanded money from the driver. The driver confronted Pittman, who became nervous and fled.
On Aug. 3, 2013 at about 2:22 p.m., Pittman entered the rear of a cab in the vicinity of 57 Willet Place in Roosevelt. Pittman displayed a gun, and demanded money from the driver. When the driver started to go into his pocket for money, Pittman became impatient and hit the driver in the area of his left eye with the gun. The driver gave Pittman approximately $200 and the defendant fled.
On Aug. 10, 2013 at about 7:30 p.m., Pittman entered the rear of a cab in the vicinity of 48 W. Roosevelt Ave. in Roosevelt. Pittman displayed a gun, and demanded money from the driver. After the driver threw $20 at Pittman, the defendant demanded more money, and shot the driver in the side. The driver was released from the hospital the next day with the bullet remaining in in his body.
In a separate case, Pittman approached a male hanging out with a group of friends on Fulton Avenue in Hempstead on Aug. 6, 2013, asking for change and marijuana. Pittman then displayed a firearm and shot the victim in the side, with the bullet causing an injury to the victim’s kidney and lung. A few months later, the victim had to have surgery to remove the bullet because it had lodged closely to his spine.
Pittman was arrested by the Nassau County Police Department on Aug. 10, 2013.
Assistant District Attorney Michelle Burke of Acting DA Singas’ Street Narcotics and Gang Bureau is prosecuting the case. Pittman is represented by Karl Seman, Esq.