Queens Leader Of Robberies Targeting Pharmacies Sentenced: Feds

QUEENS — A man from Flushing was sentenced to prison after orchestrating a series of armed robberies at CVS and Walgreens pharmacies in Queens, Long Island, and New Jersey four years ago, prosecutors said.

Jordan Velez, 24, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after he organized a crew of armed robbers to hit 10 pharmacies in two states between February 2018 and May 2019, said Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

Armed robbers targeted 10 pharmacies in neighborhoods including Valley Stream in Long Island, South Ozone Park in Queens, and Linden in New Jersey, stealing more than $200,000 worth of prescription pills and cash, Peace said.

The crew duct-tapped a person inside a CVS Pharmacy during one of the robberies in Port Jefferson Station in April 2018, prosecutors said.

Ricky Torres and Steven Valenzuela previously pleaded guilty, and will serve 8 and half years and seven years in prison, respectively, Peace said.

Robberies also took place at pharmacies in Bethpage, Long Island, Queens Village, Queens, and East Orange, New Jersey, prosecutors said.