Long Island Pharmacist Found With Home 'Arsenal' After Reporting Burglary: DA

MINEOLA, NY — A Long Island pharmacist was arraigned on a 122-count indictment in connection with the finding of an arsenal of 41 illegal guns, including semi-automatic pistols and assault weapons, in his home after he fired a gun at alleged burglars, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.

Ilya Ostrovskiy, a 38-year-old Hewlett resident who owns two locations in Brooklyn, was charged Wednesday with first-and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, as well as 101 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, 18 counts of criminal possession of a firearm, all felonies, and one count of unlawful purchase of body armor, a misdemeanor, prosecutors said.

Altogether, 41 "operable" weapons, including 18 semiautomatic pistols and 23 assault weapons, as well as 78 high-capacity magazines, and body armor equipment were found at his home during the execution of a search warrant, according to prosecutors.

On July 14, around 5 a.m., Nassau police were dispatched to a Hewlett home after receiving a report for a reported burglary in progress, prosecutors said, adding that during the investigation, it was learned Ostrovskiy shot a pistol three times toward the street in the direction of the suspected burglars.

On his consent, officers retrieved the firearm that was discharged "and recovered four more unregistered pistols," prosecutors said.

After being placed into custody and given Miranda warnings, he consented to "a further search" of his home, and shortly after, his attorney contacted the police and withdrew his consent, according to prosecutors.

A search warrant was later granted by the court, and more "weapons and paraphernalia" were taken from Ostrovkiy's home, prosecutors said.

“This defendant allegedly possessed an arsenal of assault weapons, unlicensed semiautomatic pistols, high-capacity magazines and body armor in his Hewlett home,” Donnelly said. “The flow of illegal weapons into New York is endangering countless lives. We’re working from across the state and country to stop these weapons from reaching Long Island.”

The investigation into the burglary is ongoing, Donnelly's office said

Ostrovskiy pleaded not guilty, and his bail was set at $200,000 cash and $400,000 bond, which included the surrender of his passport.

He is due back in court on January 3, 2024.

If convicted on the top count, he could face a maximum of 25 years in prison.

His attorney, John Carman of Garden City, could not be immediately reached for comment after business hours.