Robber Who Pistol-Whipped Burger King Worker With BB Gun Learns His Fate

TOWN OF NEW WINDSOR, NY — A man who terrorized workers at a Hudson Valley fast food restaurant is headed to prison.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Tuesday, 50-year-old Joseph Rico, of Poughkeepsie, was sentenced to 15 years in prison to be followed by five years of post-release supervision after he previously pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery.

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On March 27, Rico entered a fast-food restaurant in the Town of New Windsor by following employees entering the building before the business opened. Inside, Rico displayed what appeared to be a pistol and directed the employees to the ground. He then directed an employee to the office, threatened her with what appeared to be a pistol, and demanded she open the safe.

When the employee refused and attempted to call 911, Rico pistol-whipped her, stole her phone and fled. An investigation by the Town of New Windsor Police Department identified Rico as the suspect and resulted in his arrest.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Town of New Windsor Police Department for their investigation which led to the arrest of Rico. He also thanked the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department who assisted in the investigation.

"The lengthy sentence imposed in this case reflects the senseless violence perpetrated by this defendant," Hoovler said. "Even though the victim in this case avoided serious injury, the defendant nonetheless demonstrated a callous and perilous disregard for the employees who were just doing their job. A dangerous offender is off of our streets and our community will be safer during the pendency of his sentence because of the collaborative work between the police and prosecutors."