MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced the indictment of four people in connection with a violent robbery spree with B.B. Guns and Kitchen Knives that targeted businesses and people in Hempstead, Baldwin, Rockville Centre and Uniondale in August and September.
The defendants targeted businesses between August 30 and September 9, and used B.B. guns and kitchen knives in the course of their crimes.
Henry Armando-Hernandez, 18, of Hempstead, was individually charged with 36 counts, including three counts of Robbery in the 1st Degree (a B violent felony), 16 counts of Robbery in the 2nd Degree (a C violent felony), 14 counts of Menacing in the 2nd Degree (a class A misdemeanor), three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree (a class A misdemeanor).
Cecilia Vallecillo, 36, of Roosevelt, was individually charged with 30 counts, including three counts of Robbery in the 1st Degree, 10 counts of Robbery in the 2nd Degree, 14 counts of Menacing in the 2nd Degree, three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree.
Juan Vallecillo, 33, of Roosevelt, was individually charged with 26 counts, including two counts of Robbery in the 1st Degree, 11 counts of Robbery in the 2nd Degree, 11 counts of Menacing in the 2nd Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree (a D felony).
Jaime Machado, 30 of Hempstead, was individually charged with 39 counts, including three counts of Robbery in the 1st Degree, 15 counts of Robbery in the 2nd Degree, 14 counts of Menacing in the 2nd Degree, three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree (a class A misdemeanor) and a violation of Section 375-2A-3, 509.1 and 1213.A of the Vehicle & Traffic Law of the State of New York.
Armando-Hernandez, Juan Vallecillo and Machado were arraigned on the indictment charges today before Acting Supreme Court Justice Helen Gugerty. Bail was continued on Machado at $160,000 bond or $80,000 cash, on Juan Vallecillo at $100,000 bond or $50,000 cash and on Armando-Hernandez at $140,000 bond or $70,000 cash. The defendants are due back in court on Dec. 2.
Cecilia Vallecillo will be arraigned on the indictment charges on Nov. 5.
The maximum sentence the defendants face on the top charge is up to 25 years in prison.
“The defendants allegedly targeted hardworking employees of businesses throughout Nassau County, using B.B. guns and knives as their weapons of choice,” Acting DA Singas said. “Their short reign of terror ended 10 days after it started thanks to the hard work of the Nassau County and Hempstead police departments.”
Acting DA Singas said that the robbery spree that targeted seven locations began on August 30, at approximately 3:10 p.m. when the defendants robbed a multiservice store in Hempstead with a B.B. gun and knife.
The defendants, either together or in other combinations, then:
• Robbed a Hempstead deli at 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 2 with two B.B. guns
• Robbed another Hempstead deli at 11:10 p.m. on Sept. 4 with a B.B. gun and knife
• Robbed a Baldwin deli at Noon on Sept. 6 with a B.B. gun
• Robbed a victim at 1 p.m. on Sept. 8 in a Rockville Centre parking lot with a B.B. gun
• Robbed a Hempstead salon at approximately 8:35 p.m. on Sept. 9 with two B.B. guns
• Robbed a Uniondale deli at 10:45 p.m. on Sept. 9 with two B.B. guns
Juan Vallecillo and Machado were arrested by Nassau County Police Department detectives, with the assistance of the Hempstead Police Department, on Sept. 10. Cecilia Vallecillo and Armando-Hernandez were arrested by NCPD detectives, with the assistance of Hempstead PD, on Sept. 11.
Assistant District Attorney Rachael Whalen of Acting DA Singas’ County Court Trial Bureau is prosecuting the case. Armando-Hernandez is represented by Steven Barnwell, Esq., Jaime Machado is represented by Dana Grossblatt, Esq., Cecilia Vallecillo is represented by Lori Golombeck, Esq., and Juan Vallecillo is represented by Maureen McBride, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.