Defendant Caught With a Gun and a Ski Mask After Ninth
Robbery
An 11-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court
in Brooklyn charging Benjamin Uzilov with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act
robbery, nine counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and brandishing a firearm during a
crime of violence. Uzilov was previously arrested on a complaint that charged
him with robbing three 7-Eleven stores on September 26, 2018. The indictment
charges the defendant with a total of nine robberies in Brooklyn, adding three
additional robberies on September 16, 2018 and three additional robberies on
September 25, 2018. Uzilov will be arraigned at a later date.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern
District of New York, Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and James P. O’Neill,
Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the charges.
Mr. Donoghue expressed his appreciation to the NYPD detectives and ATF special
agents assigned to the Strategic Pattern Armed Robbery Technical Apprehension
(SPARTA) Task Force for their work during the investigation.
"As alleged in the indictment, Uzilov carried out a
crime wave, repeatedly targeting Brooklyn businesses where he robbed
hard-working store clerks at gunpoint," stated United States Attorney
Donoghue. "This Office is committed to vigorously prosecuting those
violent criminals who commit robberies, jeopardizing the safety of members of
our community, in order to fill their own pockets with cash."
"The defendant as alleged has committed numerous brazen
acts of violence leaving innocent people traumatized and in a state of
fear," stated ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Benedict. "Thanks to the
excellent
commitment to protecting citizens from violence and the
lasting effects it has on communities. I would also like to thank the United
States Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case."
"There is no place in civil society for violent
criminals who target innocent New Yorkers," stated NYPD Police
Commissioner O’Neill. "I commend the NYPD detectives and ATF investigators
who comprise our Strategic Pattern Armed Robbery and Technical Apprehensions
Task Force, or SPARTA – who so effectively pursue and strengthen high-profile
armed robbery cases like this. And now, due to the nature of these crimes and
the unparalleled cooperation between our agencies and the Eastern District of
New York, I am very confident he will be successfully prosecuted and receive a
lengthy federal prison sentence."
As detailed in court pleadings and as captured on video
surveillance, Uzilov entered each store, threatened employees with a gun and
then stole money from his victims. On more than one occasion, Uzilov ordered
his victims to get on the floor and count to 10 as he exited the store. Shortly
after the final robbery on September 26, 2018, Uzilov was apprehended by NYPD officers
at a gas station on Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. The officers observed a black ski
mask on the front seat of Uzilov’s car and recovered cash in the pocket of his
hooded sweatshirt and a gun in the glove compartment.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the
defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted,
Uzilov faces a minimum of seven years in prison.
The indictment charges Johnson with the following robberies,
all in Brooklyn:
• Shell Gas Station on September 16, 2018;
• Mill Basin Convenience Store on September 16, 2018;
• Allegiance Gas Station on September 16, 2018;
• Verrazano Deli and Grocery on September 25, 2018;
• Stop and Smile Grocery on September 25, 2018;
• Sam’s Deli on September 25, 2018;
• 7-Eleven on September 26, 2018;
• 7-Eleven on September 26, 2018; and
• 7-Eleven on September 26, 2018.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s
General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Megan E. Farrell is in
charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
BENJAMIN UZILOV
Age: 37
Brooklyn, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-546
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