A BRONX MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO A TERM OF UP TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT ON ROBBERY AND OTHER CHARGES

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 35 year-old Bronx man has been sentenced to a term of up to life imprisonment for the gunpoint robbery of five young women in July 2001.

Felipe Ramos, of 1800 Story Avenue, was convicted last July 29, 2002, of 2 counts of Robbery in the 1st degree, 2 counts of Robbery in the 2nd degree, and 1 count each of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd & 3rd degrees.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice Troy K. Webber sentenced the defendant to 23 years to life imprisonment on the current robbery charges and 16 years to life imprisonment on the weapons charges. The sentences are to be served consecutively, for an aggregate maximum term of 39 years to life imprisonment. Ramos, a Mandatory Persistent Violent Felony Offender, has two prior felony convictions. He was convicted in 1992 for robbery in the 1st degree, and sentenced to a term of 6 to 12 years in prison, and also convicted in 1990 for criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree, for which he was sentenced to a term of 1-3 years in prison.

The robbery occurred during the early morning hours of July 7, 2001 as the victims, Lorensa Reyes, Cynthia Vasquez, Luz-Marie DeJesus, Margarite Cooper and Angelica Vega were about to get into their vehicle at the corner of Theriot and Gleason Avenues. The defendant approached the group from behind while riding a bicycle with a gun in one hand. Ramos put the gun to the head of DeJesus and demanded that she give him her money and jewelry. DeJesus and Cooper instead escaped unharmed, to call the police. Ramos then entered the vehicle where Vasquez was seated and forcibly removed her jewelry while pointing the gun at her head. The defendant next pointed the gun at Reyes and demanded her jewelry and money, she complied. Ramos turned to Vega, his fifth victim, and demanded her cell phone. When she refused to surrender her property, the defendant fled on his bike. DeJesus and Cooper stopped a passing patrol car and gave a description of their assailant.

Ramos was apprehended a few minutes later, as police officers observed him tossing a gun near the intersection of Taylor and Story Avenues. A fully loaded 9mm Bryco Jennings semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene.

Assistant District Attorney Marijo C. Adimey of the Trial Division prosecuted this case.