'Career Criminal' Guilty After Robbing Long Island Laundromat: DA

BAY SHORE, NY — A Long Island man who robbed a laundromat was found guilty after a trial on Friday, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.

Emilio Hernandez, 54, of Bay Shore, was convicted of second-degree robbery and other related charges after robbing a Bay Shore laundromat in April 2023, the DA said.

"This defendant is a career criminal as evidenced by his lengthy criminal record, including multiple convictions for robbery and attempted robbery," Tierney said. "We will ask the court to sentence this defendant to the maximum period of incarceration allowable under the law. Protecting our citizens and the local businesses that employ them is of the utmost importance to my office."

According to the evidence presented at trial, on April 11, 2023, Hernandez robbed a laundromat on Sunrise Highway Service Road in Bay Shore with a starter pistol while wearing a hat, mask, and sunglasses to disguise himself, the DA said.

A witness filmed Hernandez fleeing the scene in a black Honda before Suffolk County police stopped him in the vehicle shortly after and not far from the laundromat, the DA said. Police found numerous items from the robbery in the vehicle, including cash, clothing, and pieces of rubber gloves that he wore during the robbery, the DA said.

On Feb. 5, 2025, Hernandez was convicted of second-degree robbery, a Class C violent felony, and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, an Unclassified misdemeanor, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard Horowitz, the DA said. .

According to the DA, Hernandez was previously convicted of five felonies—most of which were violent—and eight misdemeanors, the DA said.

In 2011, Hernandez was convicted of second-degree robbery, a Class C violent felony, and was sentenced to eight years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision, the DA said. In 1995, he was convicted of first-degree attempted robbery, a Class C felony, and was sentenced to four to eight years in prison, the dA said. In 1994, Hernandez was convicted of third-degree robbery, a Class D felony, and was sentenced to 30 months to five years in prison, the DA said. In 1989, he was convicted of first-degree attempted robbery, a Class C felony, and was sentenced to 18 to 54 months in prison, the DA said.

Hernandez is due back in court for sentencing on March 12 and faces up to 15 years in prison, the DA said. He is being represented by Samantha Chorny.