Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced today that a Queens man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a pattern burglary ring that targeted homes in gated communities on the North Shore of Nassau County.
Andres Zapata, 24, was convicted in a jury trial in April 2022 before Judge Helene Gugerty, of seven counts of Burglary in the Second Degree (a C felony); Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree (a D felony); and Possession of Burglar Tools (an A misdemeanor). Zapata was sentenced today to 20 years in prison.
“Andres Zapata and his co-defendants brazenly burglarized homes on the North Shore, smashing rear windows and doors to gain access and making off with cash, jewelry, and other luxury items,” said DA Donnelly. “This sophisticated burglary operation was ended when Nassau County Police Department officers caught these individuals in the act and arrested them. Today’s sentence holds Zapata accountable for his unsettling crime spree.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, between May 2018 and September 2018, Zapata and his co-defendants burglarized or attempted to burglarize eight houses in gated communities on the North Shore of Nassau County, stealing more than $1 million in people’s property, including U.S. currency, foreign currency, jewelry, and designer handbags.
The burglary ring specifically chose gated communities. A lookout was stationed at the gate to alert accomplices that police were nearby. The crimes occurred on Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights, and the defendants entered homes through breaking rear windows or doors.
Zapata and his co-defendants burglarized homes in Old Westbury, Manhasset, Jericho and Woodbury.
The defendant was arrested on September 21, 2018, by members of the Nassau County Police Department.
Co-defendant Brayan Castano, 34, of Elmhurst, Queens, was convicted after a jury trial before Judge Gugerty on October 22, 2021, of seven counts of Burglary in the Second Degree; Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree; and Possession of Burglar Tools. He was sentenced on June 14, 2022, to 30 years in prison.
Senior Litigation Counsel Stefanie Palma of the Homicide Bureau and Deputy Chief Rachael Whalen of the County Court Trial Bureau prosecuted this case. Zapata is represented by William Shanahan, Esq.
