D.A. Bragg Announces Hate Crime Indictment Of Man For Upper East Side Pattern Robberies Targeting Older New Yorkers

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of GARY SANDERS, 56, for stealing watches from three older New Yorkers in separate age-based hate crimes on the Upper East Side. SANDERS is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with two counts of the Robbery in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime and one count each of Robbery in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime and False Personation. [1]

"As alleged, Gary Sanders purposefully targeted three older New Yorkers in age-based robberies, injuring two in the course of the attacks," said District Attorney Bragg. "Taking advantage of vulnerable, older New Yorkers is unacceptable and we will continue to hold those accountable who cause them harm."

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on August 5, 2024, at approximately 12:04 p.m., SANDERS followed a 74-year-old woman as she was walking near East 83rd Street and Park Avenue. SANDERS approached the woman and pulled her watch off her left wrist.

On August 24, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m., SANDERS followed an 81-year-old man as he was walking near East 68th Street and 3rd Avenue. SANDERS approached the man and pulled his watch off his left wrist, causing swelling, bruising and pain.

On August 31, 2024, at approximately 12:58 p.m., SANDERS followed an 80-year-old woman as she was walking near East 75th Street and Park Avenue. SANDERS approached the woman and pulled her watch off her left wrist, causing swelling and bruising.

SANDERS was arrested on September 7, 2024. While under arrest, SANDERS attempted to prevent police officers from accurately identifying him by giving them false personal information.

If you or someone you know is 60 years of age or older and believe you are the victim of a crime, call 9-1-1 or contact our Office at 212-335-9007.

Assistant D.A. Samantha Levitz (Trial Bureau 60) is handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Constantine Coritsidis (Deputy Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), Jeanine Launay (Chief of the Elder Abuse Unit), and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Investigative Analyst Nehemie Eloiseau (Trial Bureau 60) and Hate Crimes Analysts Eric Risch and Caleb Brown are providing valuable assistance in the case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Daniel Faughnan, Detective Ronan Whelan, and Officer Ashley Acevedo of the 19^th Precinct Detective Squad.

Defendant Information:

GARY SANDERS

Charged:

• Robbery in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, a class B felony, two counts
• Robbery in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, a class C felony, one count
• False Personation, a class B misdemeanor, one count

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.