MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Brooklyn man was convicted today in a bench trial on all charges stemming from a 2013 robbery of an auto dealership in Franklin Square.
David Hosannah, 34, was convicted on all counts against him: two counts of Robbery in the 1st Degree (a B violent felony), three counts of Robbery in the 2nd Degree (a C violent felony), and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree (a D felony).
Acting Supreme Court Justice Meryl Berkowitz convicted Hosannah after a five week trial. He is scheduled for sentencing on November 23. He is facing a maximum of 25 years in prison.
“This defendant brazenly went into an auto dealership and violently robbed unsuspecting workers at gunpoint,” Acting DA Singas said. “Thankfully, he will now be sent to prison where he can reflect on all the pain and suffering he caused his victims.”
Acting DA Singas said that on Sept. 13, 2013, Hosannah and co-defendant Horatio Forrest entered Tri Star Motors at 790 Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square, where they robbed three employees at gunpoint, stealing Rolex watches, jewelry, cash, and cell phones. The defendants fled in a Range Rover, allegedly owned and operated by co-defendant Rubens Petion, which police spotted blocks away and attempted to pull over. A pursuit through Elmont ensued, and the defendants were finally stopped at Evans Avenue and Scimitar Avenue in Elmont by Nassau County Police Department officers from the Fifth Precinct and Emergency Services Bureau. Hosannah fled the vehicle and was found hiding in a nearby residential backyard where he was arrested.
Forrest was convicted on the same charges as Hosannah on July 13 and is awaiting sentencing. Petion’s trial is scheduled to start tomorrow, October 16.
Assistant District Attorney Martin Meaney of Acting DA Singas’ Major Offense Bureau is prosecuting the case. Hosannah is represented by Jeff Groder, Esq.